But she did not grow calm, and after she had vainly taken up the quill again and again, her mother said:-- "Poor child! Tell Sir Karl what you wish him to do." Yolanda did so, and then read the missive.

I did not know the English language perfectly, but Yolanda, who spoke it as if it were her mother tongue, translated as she read.

I had always considered the island language harsh till I heard Yolanda speak it.

Even the hissing "th" was music on her lips.

Had I been a young man I would doubtless have made a fool of myself for the sake of this beautiful child-woman.