And this is your niece?
Well, upon my word, I begin to repent of my bargain.

Hard lines for me! to be tied to the docks night and day to watch those repairs, while my young friend comes here to be taken care of and fussed about by my old friend and such a pretty girl." Valmai felt disappointed; she had hoped to learn something from their guest of Cardo and his whereabouts.
"I am sorry," she said, as he took his departure, "that you can't stay here." The gallant captain taking her hand, looked admiringly at the blushing face.
"By Jove, and so am I; but dooty is dooty, my dear, especially your dooty to your ship.

Good-bye, come and see you again soon." And once more Valmai was left to conflicting emotions.
The day passed quickly, while she divided her attention between her uncle's wants and her preparations for the guest who was to arrive about six o'clock.

Mrs.Finch would prepare the tea and roast the fowl which was to accompany it, and Valmai added little dainty touches of flowers and lights for the table.
"We won't light the candles till he knocks at the door; and when he has once sat down to his meal, I can manage about taking it out; but I am very nervous.

I wonder what he will be like." Her uncle knocked and called incessantly, giving fresh directions and asking innumerable questions, in his anxiety that his friend's friend should be made comfortable under his roof.