`` Mother says there is no such thing as a mermaid , but I like to think there is . Have you ever seen one ? '' The big man sat down on a bleached log of driftwood and smiled at her . `` No , I 'm sorry to say that I have n't . But I have seen many other very wonderful things . I might tell you about some of them , if you would come over here and sit by me . '' Rachel went unhesitatingly . When she reached him he pulled her down on his knee , and she liked it . `` What a nice little craft you are , '' he said . `` Do you suppose , now , that you could give me a kiss ? '' As a rule , Rachel hated kissing . She could seldom be prevailed upon to kiss even her uncles -- who knew it and liked to tease her for kisses until they aggravated her so terribly that she told them she could n't bear men . But now she promptly put her arms about this strange man 's neck and gave him a hearty smack . `` I like you , '' she said frankly . She felt his arms tighten suddenly about her . The blue eyes looking into hers grew misty and very tender . Then , all at once , Rachel knew who he was . He was her father . She did not say anything , but she laid her curly head down on his shoulder and felt a great happiness , as of one who had come into some longed-for haven . If David Spencer realized that she understood he said nothing .
Instead , he began XXXXX tell her fascinating stories of far lands he had visited , and strange things he had seen .
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