His Grandfather slowly drew out the coin, and Tom twitched it eagerly
from the long, thin fingers.

"I don't see how you can need money on board the boat," repeated the
old gentleman.

"Never you mind what I want it for, Grand-daddy," said Tom, laughing
loudly and shaking the sovereign at him as he ran off; "that's my
business, and not yours."

Polly had not taken her eyes off their faces. Now she turned toward
Jasper. "Oh, how very dreadful!" she gasped--then would have given
everything if she had kept still, for the old gentleman whirled around
and saw them for the first time.

"Hey--who are you--and what are you listening there for--hey?" he
demanded sharply. He had little black eyes, and they now snapped in a
truly dreadful way at them.

"We came to find her little sister," said Jasper, politely, for Polly
was quite beyond speaking.

"Sister? I don't know anything about your sister," said the old
gentleman, irascibly. "And this room isn't a place for children, I can
tell you," he added, as if he owned the library and the whole ship.

Jasper made no reply.

"Phronsie isn't here." Polly clasped her hands again tighter than ever.
"And, oh, Jasper!" and she looked at the angry old face before them