'It is a book, then. I like books,' replied Silver, waving her hand
comprehensively; 'I have read five, and now I have a new one.'

'Do you like it, your new one?' asked Waring, glancing towards his
property.

'I do not understand it all; perhaps you can explain to me?'

'I think I can,' answered the young man, smiling in spite of himself;
'that is, if you wish to learn.'

'Is it hard?'

'That depends upon the scholar; now, some minds--' Here a hideous face
looked out through one of the little windows, and then vanished. 'Ah,'
said Waring, pausing, 'one of the family?'

'That is Lorez, my dear old nurse.'

The face now came out on to the balcony and showed itself as part of
an old negress, bent and wrinkled with age.

'He came in a boat, Lorez,' said Silver, 'and yet you see he is not
Jacob. But he says he is tired and hungry, so we will have supper,
now, without waiting for father.'

The old woman smiled and nodded, stroking the girl's glittering hair
meanwhile with her black hand.

'As soon as the sun has gone it will be very damp,' said Silver,