Then she flitted to and fro, kissed the opening blossoms and talked to
them, tying back the more riotous vines and gravely admonishing them.

'They are so happy here,' she said; 'it was dull for them on shore. I
would not live on the shore! Would you?'

'Certainly not,' replied Waring, with an air of having spent his
entire life upon a raft. 'But you did not find all these blossoms on
the shores about here, did you?'

'Father found them,--he finds everything; in his boat almost every
night is something for me. I hope he will come soon; he will be so
glad to see you.'

'Will he? I wish I was sure of that,' thought Waring. Then aloud,
'Has he any men with him?' he asked carelessly.

'O no; we live here all alone now,--father, Lorez, and I.'

'But you were expecting a Jacob?'

'I have been expecting Jacob for more than two years. Every night I
watch for him, but he comes not. Perhaps he and Aunt Shadow will come
together,--do you think they will?' said Silver, looking up into his
eyes with a wistful expression.

'Certainly,' replied Waring.

'Now am I glad, so glad! For father and Lorez will never say so. I
think I shall like you, Jarvis.' And, leaning on a box of mignonette,