`` I 'm afraid I 've been neglecting her lately -- and I think she feels it . '' Miss Trevor took the foolscap book . It was made of several sheets of paper sewed together and encased in an oilcloth cover . It was nearly filled with writing in a round childish hand and it was very neat , although the orthography was rather wild and the punctuation capricious . Miss Trevor read it through in no very long time . It was a curious medley of quaint thoughts and fancies . Conversations with the Twin Sailors filled many of the pages ; accounts of Paul 's `` adventures '' occupied others . Sometimes it seemed impossible that a child of eleven should have written them , then would come an expression so boyish and naive that Miss Trevor laughed delightedly over it . When she finished the book and closed it she found Stephen Kane at her elbow . He removed his pipe and nodded at the foolscap book . `` What do you think of it ? '' he said . `` I think it is wonderful . Paul is a very clever child . '' `` I 've often thought so , '' said Stephen laconically . He thrust his hands into his pockets and gazed moodily out to sea . Miss Trevor had never before had an opportunity to talk to him in Paul 's absence and she determined to make the most of it . `` I want to know something about Paul , '' she said , `` all about him . Is he any relation to you ? '' `` No .
I expected XXXXX marry his mother once , though , '' said Stephen unemotionally .
Stephen at foolscap in into of over that to with