Besides, we are wasting time. We've got
to get back to tea. I'll take the revolver for a bit."
Maisie would have wept on the least encouragement, but Dick's indifference,
albeit his hand was shaking as he picked up the pistol, restrained her. She lay
panting on the beach while Dick methodically bombarded the breakwater. "Got it
at last!" he exclaimed, as a lock of weed flew from the wood.
"Let me try," said Maisie, imperiously. "I'm all right now."
They fired in turns till the rickety little revolver nearly shook itself to
pieces, and Amomma the outcast--because he might blow up at any moment--browsed
in the background and wondered why stones were thrown at him. Then they found a
balk of timber floating in a pool which was commanded by the seaward slope of
Fort Keeling, and they sat down together before this new target.
"Next holidays," said Dick, as the now thoroughly fouled revolver kicked wildly
in his hand, "we'll get another pistol,--central fire,--that will carry
farther."
"There won'tbe any next holidays for me," said Maisie. "I'm going away."
"Where to?"
"I don't know. My lawyers have written to Mrs. Jennett, and I've got to be
educated somewhere,--in France, perhaps,--I don'tknow where; but I shall be
glad to go away.
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