I shook my head. "Unfortunately, that, together with many other
valued possessions, has been ravaged from me by the ruthless maw
of Time," I replied sadly.

The Imp sat plunged in deep thought, trailing his fingers pensively
in the water.

"And so your Auntie Lisbeth is going for a row with Mr. Selwyn, is
she?" I said.

"Yes, an' I told her she could come an' be a pirate with me if she
liked - but she wouldn't."

"Strange!" I murmured.

"Uncle Dick, do you think Auntie Lisbeth is in love with Mr.
Selwyn?"

"What?" I exclaimed, and stopped rowing.

"I mean, do you think Mr. Selwyn is in love with Auntie Lisbeth?"

"My Imp. I'm afraid he is. Why?"

"Cause cook says he is, an' so does Jane, an' they know all about
love, you know. I've heard them read it out of a book lots an'
lots of times. But I think love is awfull' silly, don't you,
Uncle Dick?"