Very soon there was a little crowd in Fae’s store. It was a cold, blustering day, and its warmth and company made it a favorite lounging place. Jan’s misfortune was the sole topic of conversation, and Jan’s absence was unfavorably criticised. Why did he not come among his fellows and tell them how it had happened? Here were good men and a good ship gone to the bottom, and he had not a word to say of the matter. They were all curious about the wreck, and would have liked to pass the long stormy day in talking it over. As it was, they had only conjectures. No one but Tulloch had seen Jan. They wondered where he was.
“At Torr’s, doubtless,” said Peter, harshly.
“It is likely. Jan ever flew to the brandy keg for comfort.”
“It is like he had been there before he steered for the Quarr Rocks.”
“It did not need brandy. He was ever careless.”
“He was foolhardy more than careless.”
“I never thought that he knew the currents and the coast, as a man should know it who has life and goods to carry safe.”
“He had best be with his crew; every man of it was a better man than he is.”
Snorro let them talk and wonder. He would not tell them where Jan was. One group succeeded another, and hour after hour Snorro stood listening to their conversation, with shut lips and blazing eyes. Peter looked at him with increasing irritability.