"Oh—Captain Cromer—just—just——"
"Yes," said my father, "I perceived it. I presume you have an explanation to make, sir? I have had the pleasure of watching you for the last ten minutes."
"Yes," said my companion, "Miss Burbridge unfortunately got picked out by the searchlights, and we thought the guns——"
"Pamela," said my father, "have you anything to say? If not——"
"Yes," I said desperately. "Oh yes——" then the old sickening fear of my father, the terror that made me deceive and even lie in a sort of blind panic, rushed over me.
"I presume there is some understanding, an engagement between you and Captain——"
"Hullo! Major. Hullo! Captain Cromer. We've had a most entertaining time. We've been watching you through our glasses. If you will stand in the limelight——" came an unexpected voice behind father.
It was the C.O. and his wife.
"It brings back my own young days," said the C.O. with his jolly laugh.
"I suppose we are the first to congratulate you young people," the C.O.'s wife said charmingly. "I couldn't help overhearing the word 'engagement.'"