"I don't bet," I returned, with all the emphasis I dared give; though perhaps it was not enough to tear up a deep-rooted impression; albeit the seed had been sown for but four-and-twenty hours.
So ended the lesson for the first day.
It was not an easy lesson for me. But I regret nothing.
XIII
"Look here," said the Mariner next morning, rapping on my door at the hotel, "how soon could we start for Katwyk?"
"I thought the expedition was given up," I answered, "as nobody spoke of it last night."
"Not in your presence, but my worthy aunt rejoices in a sitting-room, and we met there—some of us—to discuss the expedition. The girls think they're keen to go, but it's a case of hypnotism. She wants a thing, and in some curious way, known only to herself, she gives others the impression that they are wanting it frantically."
"I've noticed that," said I.