Miss Drewitt, eyeing him with perfect comprehension and some little severity, sat aghast at his hardihood.
"He's very fond of going up there," said Captain Bowers, somewhat discomfited.
"Yes, he and Joseph have much in common," remarked Miss Drewitt, casually.

"They're some what alike, too, I always fancy." "Alike!" exclaimed the astonished captain.
"Edward Tredgold like Joseph?
Why, you must be dreaming." "Perhaps it's only my fancy," conceded Miss Drewitt, "but I always think that I can see a likeness." "There isn't the slightest resemblance in the world," said the captain.
"There isn't a single feature alike.

Besides, haven't you ever noticed what a stupid expression Joseph has got ?" "Yes," said Miss Drewitt.
The captain scratched his ear and regarded her closely, but Miss Drewitt's face was statuesque in its repose.
"There--there's nothing wrong with your eyes, my dear ?" he ventured, anxiously--"short sight or anything of that sort ?" "I don't think so," said his niece, gravely.
Captain Bowers shifted in his chair and, convinced that such a superficial observer must have overlooked many things, pointed out several admirable qualities in Edward Tredgold which he felt sure must have escaped her notice.

The surprise with which Miss Drewitt greeted them all confirmed him in this opinion, and he was glad to think that he had called her attention to them ere it was too late.
"He's very popular in Binchester," he said, impressively.

"Chalk told me that he is surprised he has not been married before now, seeing the way that he is run after." "Dear me!" said his niece, with suppressed viciousness.
The captain smiled.