"Because I have to go to South America next month."
Kaituna froze instantly, and annihilated him with a glacial look, at which he quailed visibly.
"I can't help it, Miss Pethram," he said piteously, "don't look at me like that."
"I'm not looking at you like that," retorted Miss Pethram vengefully. "I--I hope you'll have a pleasant voyage."
"I won't! I hate the sea."
"Then why go?"
"Needs must, when the devil drives."
"That's very coarse."
"But it's very true. I beg your pardon, really; but, you know, it is hard to have to go prancing about the world when you don't want to."
"How long will you be out in South America?"