"Where 'd you get them?" he asked, looking up at her.
"None of your business," said Rosalind calmly. "I suggest that you put them to work at once."
He turned to the box that contained the dead batteries, disconnected the wires, and tossed the useless cells overboard. Then rather clumsily he began wiring the new cells into place.
Rosalind, seated opposite, watched the performance with impatience, but said nothing until he had nearly finished. Then it was:
"Don't you know better than to connect two positive poles? There—see—between the fourth and fifth cells."
He grinned without meeting her eyes and made the necessary change. Very quickly after that the launch was headed into the river, moving without the aid of oars.
"Nothing like having the master mechanic aboard," observed Sam as he refilled his pipe.
"Never presume to address me in that manner again," said Rosalind, turning swiftly upon him and drawing her skirt closer to her ankles.
"All right—Miss Chalmers—ma'am."
They ran on for several minutes in silence. Then he inquired indifferently: