Captain Evans whirled to face the corridor, along which came Tanya, holding to the hands of the two smallest children, while the others clung tightly to the stiff folds of her taffeta gown.
His stare was ghastly. "Miss Taganova! I thought you'd gone! Where have you been? And why weren't these children sent off in the other boats? Didn't you hear the warnings?"
"Somebody's always scolding me for being late," said Tanya, lightly. "But I really couldn't help it. These children seem to have been abandoned by the nursemaids and lost or forgotten by their parents. I have been trying to amuse them until it seemed safe to bring them to you. If I'd come before they would have been trampled to death."
"Well, luckily it's not too late. In you go, the lot of you."
The six youngsters were scrambling through the port, and the Captain had resumed his "You, and you, and you...." when Alan darted forward and clasped Tanya's hand.
"I just want you to know," he whispered. "If the Star Lord had gone on to port I'd never have dared say it. But since it can't matter now, Tanya—I'd like you to know—"
She smiled. "I know, Alan. I've known it for many days. And I'd have made a good doctor's wife, I think!" Her lips were trembling as she turned away and entered the port.
"Dr. Chase!" roared the Captain. "What are you doing here? You were supposed to go on Boat D!"
"There isn't room for all of us, Captain. I thought the healthy men should have the preference. I prefer to stay here."
"Personal preferences mean nothing at all at this moment. Get into the boat."