The Capsina turned on him furiously.
"Let us lose it, then!" she cried.
"And you will go none the faster," he said. "More sail will only stop the ship."
"That is what they say," she remarked. "They say it pulls a ship over, and makes the bows dip. What do you advise, little Mitsos?"
"By no means hoist the foresail. Even if the ship can carry it you will go the slower," he said. "Is it an order?"
"Yes."
Then suddenly she turned to him.
"Do not judge me," she said, "for indeed I am not myself. When this is over, if God wills, I shall be myself again. Oh, lad!" she cried, "have you water or milk in your veins? Do you forget what we saw yesterday?"
Mitsos looked at her a moment, and caught something of the burning hate in her eye.
"I do not forget," he said. "But the women—oh, think of it!"