Joel said quietly: “Your schooner is at Tubuai. I’ll set you back there, if you will.”
Mark mocked him. “Would you throw your own brother off the ship he captained?... Oh hard, hard heart....”
“You may stay, or go,” Joel told him. “Have your way.”
Mark’s eyes for an instant narrowed; they turned toward the door of the cabin where Priss lay.... And there was a flicker of black hatred in them, but his voice was suave when he replied: “With your permission, captain dear, I’ll stay.”
Joel nodded; he rose. “Young Morrell has given you his bunk,” he said. “So—good night, to you.”
He opened the door into the main cabin; and Mark, his fingers twitching, went out. He turned, spoke over his shoulder. “Good night; and—pleasant dreams,” he said.
X
Even Joel Shore saw the new light in Priscilla’s eyes when she met Mark at breakfast in the cabin next morning; and it is said husbands are the last to see such things.