"Then it will be a sin if Nature ever lets you get a day older," said
Trevor, laughing.

"Thank you, sir," said Fin, with a mock curtsey.

"Is she always as merry as this?" said Trevor to Tiny, who glanced at
him again, to once more lower her eyes in confusion, he looked at her so
earnestly.

"Yes; but you must not heed what she says," was the reply.

"I'm very wicked in my remarks, Mr Trevor," said Fin; "and now, sir, if
you please, we are going this way to dig up ferns--so good morning."

"That is my direction," said Trevor, quietly; "and as I am only your
neighbour, surely you need not treat me as a stranger."

"Tiny, it's all your fault," said Fin, maliciously; "so if Aunt Matty
scolds, you may take the blame. I would make him carry the basket,
though."

"Yes, pray let me," said Trevor, holding out his hand.

"Thank you, no," said Tiny, recovering herself, and speaking with a very
sweet assumption of maidenly dignity. "If Mr Trevor will excuse us, I
think we will return now to breakfast. I feel sure that papa will
gladly receive you this afternoon."

"And you will be at home?" said Trevor, earnestly.

"I cannot say," said Tiny, quietly; "but I hope the little unpleasantly
will be removed."

"You do hope that?" said downright Trevor.

"Yes--of course," said Tiny, ingenuously opening her soft eyes, and
meeting his this time without a blush. "It would be so unpleasant--so
unneighbourly for there to be dissension between us," and she held out
her hand. "Good morning, Mr Trevor."

If he might only have kissed it! But it would have been enough to stamp
him as a boor, and he contented himself with pressing it tenderly as he
bent over it.

"Good morning, Mr Trevor," said Fin, holding out her hand in turn, and
she gazed at him out of her laughing, mischievous eyes, till a dull red
glow spread over his bronzed cheeks, and he squeezed her fingers so that
she winced with pain.

"Good morning," he said. "Eh--what is it?"

"Oh, dear!" cried Fin, shutting her eyes, "here's that horrid,
solemn-looking little man coming, just in the way we want to go."

"Then, let me introduce you," said Trevor, laughing, as Pratt came
sauntering along, whistling and cutting off fern leaves with his stick,
till he saw the group in front, when he became preternaturally solemn.

"Pratt, let me introduce you to my neighbours. Miss Rea--Miss Finetta
Rea--my old friend, Frank Pratt."

"Pratt! What a disgusting name!" s