“I’m sure you do,” I answered, “yet this view also is worth looking at.  It is not like the peaceful slumbering villages of more prosperous lands.  It represents the struggle and striving for things that will never be attained, the hopes of those yet young and the reminiscences of others becoming too old to keep up the fight.  In many ways it is better than a big town, for here the people all know one another, and no one can starve as long as his neighbor has a handful of flour.  Sweetapple Cove is a fine place, for sometimes the winds of heaven sweep away its smells of fish and fill deep the chests of sturdy men who fight the sea and gale instead of fighting one another, as men so often must, in the big cities, to retain their hold upon the loaves and fishes.”

“I suppose we all look for things that can never be attained,” she repeated after me, with a look of very charming, frank friendliness.

I sometimes wonder whether I wear my heart upon my sleeve for those pleasant daws to peck at.  At any rate they do it gently, and both Mrs. Barnett and this young lady are birds of a very fine feather.

So we entered the boat and were rowed over to the landing-place, but a few hundred yards away, where the Frenchman’s little fellow was waiting, patiently, with one arm around a woolly pup with which he seemed to be great friends.  As soon as we were ashore he left the dog and came up to Miss Jelliffe.

“Bonjour,” he said. “Je t’aime bien.”

Yves blushed and smiled, apologetically, at this very sudden declaration of love, but the girl stooped, laughing, and kissed the little chap, passing her hand over his yellow locks.

One is ever seeing it, this love of women for the little ones and the weaklings.  We men are proud of our strength, but may it not be on account of some weaknesses hidden to ourselves that women so often love fellows who hardly seem to deserve them.  It is a thing to wonder at.  Dora, I am very sure, knows all the feeble traits I may possess.  Will the day ever come when these may prompt her to think it would increase her happiness to take me under her protecting care?

“Won’t you come over to the house?” Miss Jelliffe asked me.

“I am afraid that I rather need a wash,” I said, “after handling your big salmon.  Frenchy will take it over to your house.  I must find out whether any one has been looking for me.  In Sweetapple Cove there is no such thing as office hours, you know.  People come at any time, from ever so many miles away, and sit down patiently to await my return.”

“Well, good-by, and thank you again, ever so much.  You must certainly come to-morrow and help us dispose of that fish.”

She extended her hand, in friendly fashion, and I told her I was glad she had enjoyed herself.

“We are going out fishing again, are we not?” she asked.  “I want more lessons from you, and I should like to watch you at work.”