Snowdrops from a Curate’s Garden

still fast friends, but Monty was first favourite with the Captain and tyrannized over him to the previ- ously-unheard-of extent of demanding reciprocity en affaire d’amour. The Captain on his part only asked fidelity ; and indeed Monty had grown to love him so dearly that the thought of an adultery would have been insupportable. One day, how- ever, a sudden desire came upon him towards the most popular of the lieutenants, Andrew Clayton, a man of violent passions not usually associated with fair hair and rather timid grey eyes. Andrew saw the sly looks of the midshipman and one day went into his cabin and, stepping to his side with- out a word, gave him a fierce kiss, while his hand sought to awake desire in an even more direct manner. But the passing fancy of the boy had gone, and he rudely repulsed the advances of his would-be lover. Andrew, with great self-command, withdrew in silence. Next day, however, they were both called before the Captain, read a long lecture on the sin of pederasty and severely repri- manded. It was evident that Captain Spelton liked his forehead very well as it was, and meant to keep a sharp look-out. Monty in his innocence was ter- ribly indignant and naturally became quite ready to cuckold the Captain if he could. At mess that evening he managed to whisper “ you shall have me if you still — ” the immediate result of which was considerably embarrassing to Andrew. But all the endeavours they made to meet and steal a kiss oc- casionally were always frustrated as if by accident, though they now knew it must be of set purpose. Andrew suggested at last that, to allay suspicion, he should choose another middy and pretend to make violent love to him. Monty’s jealousy said no, and only after a long time was he persuaded to agree. “ Katie ” Ambrose, the boy selected for this vicari- ous duty, was a dirty little fellow of the most vi- cious type. His favourite fancy, in public, was to [82]