Sylvia perched herself sideways on the end of the dresser, and made pretence to sew; but Philip could see how often she paused in her work to listen.
By-and-by, his aunt spoke to him, and they kept up a little side conversation, more because Bell Robson felt that her nephew, her own flesh and blood, was put out, than for any special interest they either of them felt in what they were saying.

Perhaps, also, they neither of them disliked showing that they had no great faith in the stories Kinraid was telling.

Mrs.Robson, at any rate, knew so little as to be afraid of believing too much.
Philip was sitting on that side of the fire which was nearest to the window and to Sylvia, and opposite to the specksioneer.

At length he turned to his cousin and said in a low voice-- 'I suppose we can't go on with our spell at geography till that fellow's gone ?' The colour came into Sylvia's cheek at the words 'that fellow'; but she only replied with a careless air-- 'Well, I'm one as thinks enough is as good as a feast; and I've had enough of geography this one night, thank you kindly all the same.' Philip took refuge in offended silence.

He was maliciously pleased when his aunt made so much noise with her preparation for supper as quite to prevent the sound of the sailor's words from reaching Sylvia's ears.