"Yes, thank you. I've a fancy that I would rather put off that trip awhile."
"Why so? A wedding journey in view later, perhaps?"
Jack did not appear to think this raillery required a specific answer. He smiled again, in the thoughtful mood so foreign to him.
Mr. Van Tassel, however, had been glad of an opening for the question. He listened with veiled eagerness for his son's reply, and was disappointed that none came.
When he spoke again, it was with new seriousness and a shade of embarrassment.
"You must have met many charming women, during the past four years, who are strangers to me," he said.
"Yes, I've met a lot of women," returned Jack with a patient sigh at this irrelevance. What were charming women to a man who was saying good-by to his crew!
"But old friends are best still?" persisted his father.
"Yes, no doubt," responded the other, vaguely courteous.
"You haven't forgotten the girls at home?" said Mr. Van Tassel.