Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/377

Rh all the pretty girls I knew and saying, “Please, may I lay hands on you?” they only replied indignantly (you see I am not young and attractive!), “Most certainly not!” and when I attempted to explain, they would say, “What impudence!—don't you dare! Try it on somebody else!”

So how am I to experiment with this great gift? I never thought it a bit nice of those pretty girls, and no one wants to lay hands on an ugly one.

But here was the little Belle of New York who proved there was some truth in it, for whenever her head ached she loved to take my hand and press her brow hard against it.

Now the young ladies of the troupe were greatly run after by all the midshipmen of the fleet, and the whole company was frequently invited to tea on this or that warship. The midshipmen came in bands to the hotel, laden with offerings, and what flirtations went on! My cool corner was a favourite resort, and they treated me as if I did not exist. The airs and graces of those young ladies afforded me unending diversion. I believe pretty and popular actresses receive many offerings in the shape of jewels, fans, flowers, gloves, and even silk stockings! So I am told—and, indeed, I have seen it. But these very youthful ones cared nothing for such things, and the offerings brought them were bonbons and chocolates. The staircases and corridors of the hotel were daily strewn with empty chocolate boxes and silver paper!

As a friend I came in for some of this, as now and again some girl, bethinking herself of my lonely state, would descend on me and try to force a chocolate into my mouth; but frequently the delicacy looked as if it had been tried and