for the tactless question. "This is a beautiful place, isn't it?"

"It's heavenly," said Paul, with his eyes on her.

"One scarcely wants to do anything but just-just-well, be here." She
smiled.

He nodded and said, "Ay!" Then he grew bolder. "I like being alone,"
he declared defiantly.

"Then I'll leave you," she laughed.

The blood flushed deep under his unwashed olive skin, and he leaped
to his feet. "Aw didn't mean that!" he protested hotly. "It wur them
other boys."

She was touched by his beauty and quick sensitiveness. "I was only
teasing. I'm sure you like being with me."

Paul had never heard such exquisite tones from human lips. To his
ears, accustomed to the harsh Lancashire burr, her low, accentless
voice was music. So another of his senses was caught in the
enchantment.

"Yo' speak so pretty," said he.

At that moment a spruce but perspiring young teacher came up. "We're
going to have some boys' races, miss, and we want the ladies to look
on. His lordship has offered prizes. The first is a boys' race-under
eleven."