"There'd be a nice touch of irony in 'See the Conquering Hero Comes,'" she said. "Don't you think so?"
"Quite nice." He congratulated himself upon becoming an excellent actor.
"And now tell me a few things. What about the Galatea?"
"Oh, she'll remain in commission," said Franklin. "McLeod is going home for a few days and the first officer will be in charge. Malcolm will stay aboard too. I shall let him know what happens."
"Why didn't you bring him with us?"
"Don't you think he might have been in the way?"
"And where's Mrs. Larpent going?"
"Home first and then to Southampton, I believe."
"I forgot to say good-bye to her in the hurry of getting away from the yacht," said Beatrix, hoping never to see her again.
"I thought you would," said Franklin, a little dryly. His mind went back to the strained and uncomfortable return trip during which Beatrix and Ida Larpent had instinctively avoided each other as much as possible. He couldn't for the life of him make out why.