Her large blue eyes, her slightly uplifted brows, and the general
expression of her rather thin face gave me the idea that she was a
pleasantly disposed woman, who was either very tired or not in good
health.
"Good-morning, sir," she said. "On desert islands, you know, people
speak to each other without ceremony."
I stopped, and returned her salutation. "Excuse me," I remarked, "but
this does not seem to be a desert island. May I be permitted to ask if
it is a place of much resort?"
"Of course you may," she answered. "People sometimes come here; but
would you like it better if they did not? You need not answer; I know
you would."
This was a very free and easy lady, but if she liked that mood it suited
me very well.
"Since you will have it," I replied, "I will admit I came here because I
thought my companion and I would have the island to ourselves."
"And now you are disappointed," she said, with a smile.
She was surely a person of very pleasant humor.
"Good lady," said I, "you must not corner me. I came here because I
thought it would be a good place in which to stop awhile and grumble
undisturbed; and as you say it is proper to be unceremonious, may I ask
how you happen to be here, and if you sail your boat yourself?"
"I am here," she answered, "because I like this island.
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