"How it ought to make one--" and there Norman broke off from the
fullness of his heart.

"I'm glad he put both verses" said Ethel presently. "How pleased
with you he must be!"

A silence while brother and sister both gazed intently at the crooked
characters, till at last Ethel, with a long breath, resumed her
ordinary tone, and said, "How well he has come to write with his left
hand now."

"Yes. Did you know that he wrote himself to tell Ernescliffe Sir
Matthew's opinion of Margaret?"

"No: did he?"

"Do you know, Ethel," said Norman, as he knelt on the floor, and
tumbled miscellaneous articles out of his bag, "it is my belief that
Ernescliffe is in love with her, and that papa thinks so."

"Dear me!" cried Ethel, starting up. "That is famous. We should
always have Margaret at home when he goes to sea!"

"But mind, Ethel, for your life you must not say one word to any
living creature."

"Oh, no, I promise you I won't, Norman, if you'll only tell me how
you found it out."

"What first put it in my head was the first evening, while I was