20 THE FATTED CALF. 



the silver candalabra, she made him feel that her 

 interest was in him. Was it her eyes ? Perhaps 

 — for they were always brightest as they met his. 

 Or was it her pretty posture ? Very likely — for 

 it was always one of eager attention when he 

 spoke. He thought for a moment that he was 

 being mischievously pursued. Then he thought 

 it rather nice to be pursued. Finally he thought 

 the Girl was not at all to blame for pursuing so 

 interesting a person as the returned Prodigal from 

 the South Pacific. Besides, had not he done all 

 he knew how, in his sailorly way, to interest the 

 Girl? 



"You didn't do as you promised," she said, 

 when they chanced to come side by side again. 

 " You promised to confess all your sins, and you 

 stopped with one — though it was a very good 

 one. And now, sir, if you don't confess another 

 this very minute if not sooner, I'll ostracize 



you!" 



" How's that done ? " 



" You'll find out to your grief," said the red 

 rose, "if you don't tell another story as good as 

 the last, and that immediately.'' 



" Yes, yes," they all cried, " confess your sins 

 or we'll ostracize you, too, and it'll be some- 

 thing awful — awful ! " 



