Julian was deflecting Madge's course to the left of Gull Island.
"Oh, do let us go a little nearer!" the girl implored.
"No!" came from Miss Greta's cushions in the stern; "the ... the channel isn't safe!"
Julian began to tell about bird-nesting over there when he was a boy. And a cave the smugglers had used—
"Oh, my!" came the familiar note. "We simply must go and explore!"
"No," said Miss Greta decisively. "No!"
Napier caught Julian's eye. "Why?" they both asked silently.
And now even the devoted Nan was ready with, "Dearest Greta, why not?"
"Because it—it's too dangerous, I tell you!" She had carried a handkerchief to her lips. Over the handkerchief the eyes looked out to the Gull rocks, with an expression not easy to define. But Napier felt as clearly as ever he'd felt anything in his life: she will do something to prevent those two from wandering away together on Gull Island. What would she do? What could she do? He lay in the boat and speculated.
Certainly Miss Greta's conception of her responsibility for the safety of her charges had produced a curious agitation in that lady. While the others were arguing, she dashed her handkerchief down from her lips, that were seen to be trembling, and called out roughly, "Madge! I forbid it!"