There was no answer. Again and again he spun it, but the engine remained inert. After a while he resumed his placid and apparently purposeless examination of the gasoline monster.
"Well, what is the matter now?" demanded a cutting voice.
"Engine stopped," said the boatman, putting down the lantern and beginning to refill his pipe.
"Thank you for the information," said Miss Chalmers icily. "Why has it stopped?"
"I couldn't begin to tell you—ma'am."
There was something about the "ma'am," drawled out at the end, that peculiarly exasperated her; it seemed to lack the servility that was familiar to her from the lips of servants.
"Do you know anything about engines?"
"Not much that's good."
Miss Chalmers's temper was rising rapidly. She looked at her watch, then at the dark shores and islands.
"How dared you bring me out here if you didn't—Oh, it's—it's—perfectly outrageous! It's—"