CHAPTER IV
THE BLACKFISH INTERRUPTS
WHEN the blue-and-white plates were dried and the tumblers ranged in a twinkling row upon the dresser, Joan put on her broad hat and chose a book from the well-stocked little shelves in the living-room. She wandered out upon the rock and sat down in the sunshine, intending to read. But before long she found herself watching the gulls flapping and wrangling on a ledge which the tide had uncovered; then her eyes wandered to the mainland, where she could see the surf leaping and lunging upon the Reef. She leaned back and gazed idly, the book neglected. There was a sudden sound on the rock behind her, and the next instant a violent arm was flung about her neck as Garth fell precipitately against her shoulder. He disentangled himself in another instant and sat up, rubbing his elbow.
"I'm awfully sorry!" he gasped. "I slid. I hope I didn't hurt you much."
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