CHAPTER XXIV
RESTORED SIGHT
Dick led the way; Masters followed; the cabin was reached. The moment they had entered, the author put his back against the door; spoke with a gravity which alarmed his companion:
"You and I have got to have a talk. Plain talk."
Dick's anxiety was evidenced in the tone of his voice as he said:
"All right, old son. Cackle for hours if you like. But I wish to goodness you'd lie down and see the doctor first."
Masters disregarded this; considered it a flippant, out-of-place remark; in inconceivably bad taste. Moreover, he was disgusted by Dick's evasion; by reason of it went himself the straighter to the point:
"We left off on deck at where you were talking of your girl. You said you were—were not of the marrying kind!"
"Eh? Yes, of course I said so. It is so. But what on earth does it matter what I said?"