for him of dreary, toilsome, colourless existence, the retrospect
would always show him this patch of purple--a memory precious
beyond all the possible results of prudence and narrow self-regard.

The little she-Cockney by his side entertained him with the flow of
her chatter; it had the advantage of making him feel a travelled
man.

"I didn't cross this way when I came before," he explained to her.
"From Newhaven it's a much longer voyage."

"You like the sea, then?"

"I chose it because it was cheaper--that's all."

"Yet you're so extravagant now," remarked Patty, with eyes that
confessed admiration of this quality.

"Oh, because I am rich," he answered gaily. "Money is nothing to
me."

"Are you really rich? Eve said you weren't."

"Did she?"

"I don't mean she said it in a disagreeable way. It was last night.
She thought you were wasting your money upon us."

"If I choose to waste it, why not? Isn't there a pleasure in doing
as you like?"