Page:MacGrath--The luck of the Irish.djvu/91

 when he sat down, his legs crossed tailor-fashion, and told them bloody pirate tales, his conquest was complete. Children and dogs always came at a beckon from William, and he was serenely unconscious of the magnetism which made this possible.

Camden and the school-teacher had witnessed William's exploits from the skirts of the crowd.

"Odd character," was Camden's comment.

"Yes; but strong and clean. And he is funny." "You've known him long?"

"Oh no. I never saw him before we came aboard; but it seems he has known me for three years. He has a wonderful eye and memory. For three years he watched me go past the cellar window of the shop he works in. And, would you believe it, he identified me by my feet, never having seen my face!"

"What does he do?"

"He's a plumber."

"Ye gods!"

They both laughed; but her laughter ceased first. She became suddenly and guiltily conscious of the snobbery in it.

The beautiful days slipped past. Never, in all his dreams, had William found such fun in life. He made friends, port and starboard; even the aristocracy smiled at and with him. And he had his own secret fun, the gamin's outlook. There were always four or five kiddies trailing at his heels; and whenever he paused to play with them