The girls had graced his party with their best hats and freshest muslins, not that they might see him catch a mackerel, but that they might flirt and dance to the best advantage.

"You can't suppose that any girl will like to be drenched with sea-water when she has taken so much trouble with her starch," said Kate.

"Then she shouldn't come fishing," said Mr Cheesacre.

"I hate such airs." But when they arrived at the old boat, Mrs Greenow shone forth pre-eminently as the mistress of the occasion, altogether overshadowing Mr Cheesacre by the extent of her authority.

There was a little contest for supremacy between them, invisible to the eyes of the multitude; but Mr Cheesacre in such a matter had not a chance against Mrs Greenow.