The worst had happened.
Cicely had awaked.
After one frightful moment, Captain Rage plunged on desperately.
“In—instead of going down to the sea, you—you turn——”
“Somebody,” said Mrs. Medallion in a freezing tone, “somebody appears to desire your attention. Didn’t you hear them call?”
Her nephew put his head on one side and appeared to listen.
“Did they?” he said.
Grimly his aunt surveyed him.
“You must be deaf,” she said. “Never mind. If you don’t answer, I dare say they’ll call again.”
She was perfectly right.