Across the man's impatient face a dark unhappy flush showed suddenly.
"I get you!" he said. "I will be very careful about my drinking." 171
"But as to a pledge from you," cried Daphne, "that you wouldn't back out and make a fool of me—why, it just never would have occurred to me to ask it! It doesn't occur to me even now! Why— why should you make a fool of me?" she questioned. "Why, how could you make a fool of me? You love me, don't you?" she triumphed.
"I—love—you," said the man.
"Oh, all right, then!" cried Daphne. "'Nuff said! Let's go!"
Snatching a silver whistle from his white flannel pocket the man blew sharply once—twice—three times. Simultaneously with the signal a slight commotion was visible on the house-boat.
"They'll be over for us right away," said the man. "Just as soon as they can get the little boat launched."
With her small hand slipped into his, Daphne stood pawing the sand like a pony while she watched the operations.
"Will it be—my house-boat?" she thrilled.