ourse they're not really so many when there are two of us to
eat them."

"I'll give you another one and sixpence," said Frank, "and then you'll
be able to get the peaches too if you want them. I rather bar those
tinned fruits myself. They have no flavour."

On Saturday evenings, when prefects and all self-respecting members
of the upper and middle schools have tea in their studies, Frank was
accustomed to eat tinned lobsters and sometimes tinned salmon, but he
knew that superiority to such forms of food was one of the marks of a
grown man. He hoped, by speaking slightingly of the Californian peaches,
to impress Priscilla with the idea that he was a sort of uncle of hers.
The luncheon was involving him in considerable expense, but he did not
grudge the money if it produced the effect he desired. Unfortunately it
did not.

"Well have a gorgeous bust," said Priscilla. "I shouldn't wonder if
Brannigan got some kind of fit when we spend all that in his shop at
once. He's not accustomed to millionaires."

Frank, not being able to find a shilling and a sixpence in his pocket,
handed over another half crown. Priscilla promised to give him his
change. She stopped the bath-chair at the door of Brannigan's shop. The
men of leisure who sat on the window sills stared curiously at Frank.
Young gentlemen dressed in white flannels and wheeled in bath-chairs are
rare in Rosnacree. Frank felt embarrassed and annoyed.

"Excuse me half a mo.," said Priscilla. "I'll just speak a word to Peter
Walsh and then do the shopping. Peter, you're to get the sails on the
_Tortoise_ at once."

She spoke with such decisive authority that Peter Walsh felt quite
certain that she had no right to give the order.

"Is it the _Tortoise_, Miss?"

"Didn't I say the _Tortoise_. Go and get the sails at once."

"I don't know," said Peter, "whether would your da be pleased with me if
I sent you out in the _Tortoise_. Sure you know----"

"Mr. Mannix and I," said Priscilla, "are going out for the day in the
_Tortoise_."

Peter Walsh took a long look at Frank. He was apparently far from
satisfied with the result of his inspection.

"Of course if the young gentleman in the perambulator is going with you,
Miss--the _Tortoise_ is a giddy kind of a boat, your honour, and without
you'd be used to her or the like of her--but sure if you're satisfied--but
what it is, the master gave orders that Miss Priscilla wasn't to go out
in the _Tortoise_ without either