Aroused from her reverie, Grace answered:
"No, not at all, we got along capitally. You know, dear," she went on, "the devil is never as black as he is painted. When people don't get along together, it is very often because they don't understand each other."
Mrs. Stuart looked at her former protégée with blank astonishment.
"So this stoker fellow—you think you understand him? Did you actually take the trouble to understand him?"
She looked closely at Grace, a searching look that made the latter's cheeks redden.
"Perhaps," went on Mrs. Stuart, with a knowing smile, "you both came to a perfect understanding—some foolish romance which you'd blush now to acknowledge."
"Don't be silly, Cora," answered Grace quickly. "You know he saved my life twice. The least I could do was to be civil to him."
"Where is he now?" demanded Mrs. Stuart.
"I haven't the slightest idea," replied Grace. "He returned to America, of course, on the Saucy Polly, and when the ship arrived at Boston my father was there to meet me. When I had said what he had done for me, father was anxious to repay him, but he refused to take anything and mysteriously disappeared. I have not seen him since, but we are trying to trace him. Father has written to the owner of the Saucy Polly, whom, we think, knows his whereabouts."
"Perfectly delicious!" exclaimed Mrs. Stuart sarcastically. "Your father can offer him a position as coachman, footman or butler. No doubt he's dead in love with you! The romance wouldn't be complete unless you eloped with him!"