She slipped off most of her clothes, stood for one instant unseen and beautiful on the stem of the dory, and dived. She came up within, and was instantly on the ledge. There was light enough from above to see him clearly. She put her ear close to his heart and heard it beat, and then burst out crying.
He gave a sigh.
“Is that you, nurse? What are you crying about?”
“I always cry when I’m happy.”
He reached out his hand and touched her bare arm. The hand drew back, but she closed her own about it. He lay still, clasping it closely.
“Jean, what do you want me to do?”
“Keep your eyes closed.”
“I will. Is it any use to call for help?”
“No. We’re going back into the water. Just float, and let me do the rest.”
She slipped off the ledge and eased him down on his back, and swam with him upstream.