"And I think this ought to teach you what a comrade's perfect confidence can be.

Never complain to me of my want of trust in you again." In astonished and uneasy silence, I stood listening.

The unseen pool rippled in the darkness with a silvery sound, as though a great fish were swirling there in the pallid lustre of the stars.
After a while she laughed outright--the light, mischievous laughter of a child.
"I feel like one of those smooth and lurking naiads which haunt lost pools--or like some ambushed water-sprite meditating malice, and slyly alert to do you a harm.

Have a care, else I transform you into a fish and chase you under the water, and pinch and torment you!" And presently her voice came again from the more distant darkness somewhere: "Has the box which you commanded arrived yet, Euan ?" "It is at my hut.

A wagon will bring it to you in the morning." I could hear her clap her wet little hands; and she cried out softly: "Oh!" and "Oh!" Then she said: "I did not understand at first how much I wished for everything you offered.