Page:An African Millionaire.djvu/136

Rh gazing at them. 'I wish I could get some! Let's land here and pick them. Sir Charles, you shall gather me a nice bunch for my sitting-room.'

Charles rose to it innocently, like a trout to a fly.

'By all means, my dear child, I—I have a passion for flowers;' which was a flower of speech itself, but it served its purpose.

They rowed us round to the far side, where is the easiest landing-place. It struck me as odd at the moment that they seemed to know it. Then young Granton jumped lightly ashore; Mrs. Granton skipped after him. I confess it made me feel rather ashamed to see how clumsily Charles and I followed them, treading gingerly on the thwarts for fear of upsetting the boat, while the artless young thing just flew over the gunwale. So like White Heather! However, we got ashore at last in safety, and began to climb the rocks as well as we were able in search of the valerian.

Judge of our astonishment when next moment those two young people bounded back into the boat, pushed off with a peal of merry laughter, and left us there staring at them!

They rowed away, about twenty yards, into deep water. Then the man turned, and waved his hand at us gracefully. 'Good-bye!' he said, 'good-bye! Hope you'll pick a nice bunch! We're off to London!'

'Off!' Charles exclaimed, turning pale. 'Off!