Where was the other gentleman? Kitty inquired.
He was not coming, it appeared. He intended to wait on the island until a boat could cross for him; and that would not be to-day, Stevan answered, with a shrug. The people who lived there had a boat, of course, but the young son-in-law had taken it to fetch something for the sick wife.
Then Kitty stopped resolutely, and demanded that the boy should be sent back to the house to tell the gentleman that they would not start until he came.
“Kitty!” exclaimed her mother, in amazement.
But Kitty’s eyes were shining with resolute determination. The curé, who perhaps understood more than they thought, smiled resignedly, and sheltered himself as best he could from the driving rain.
“We have been unjust, mother,” said the girl, in a low voice.
Mrs Lascelles said nothing. Kitty was going her own way, and she was unwilling to interfere. She was uneasy, but interested, and perhaps a little amused; besides, it must be owned the sea looked so fierce that she was not sorry to have another man in the boat. Presently she saw Everitt coming towards them, quickening his pace when he perceived they were waiting on the shore. Kitty did not draw back, as her mother expected; she made a few steps to meet him, and said quietly—
“It would have been a great pity if you had stayed at that place all night because you were afraid of overcrowding the boat. We hope you will cross with us.”
“Thank you,” said Everitt, briefly. He wasted no more words, but occupied himself in doing what he could to shelter them from rain: in a few moments the driving foam would be dashing over the boat. The old boatman looked up and down uneasily; Everitt said certain words to him, and his face cleared. “We are going to wrap the heavy brown sail round you,” Everitt added to Mrs Lascelles; “it can’t be used in any other way.”
“The old man will never be able to row us across,” she said, anxiously.