"Why I--an American, of course! Great Scott! I--I certainly did, didn't I?" he exclaimed, aghast, gradually comprehending that she had a moral claim, at least.
"That is the question," she said simply.
He walked over and sat down rather heavily on one of the stone blocks.
"I saw it from the sea," he stammered.
"And so did I."
For some moments he sat gazing at the flag, actual distress in his eyes. She looked away and smiled faintly.
"I didn't think, Tennys; truly I did not. You have as much right to claim the discovery as I. Why have you not spoken of this before?"
"You seemed so happy over the flag that I couldn't, Hugh," she said, still looking away.
"Poor old flag! It's the first time you ever tried to wave dishonestly or where there was a doubt of your supremacy." He came to her side. "We'll have no flag raising."
"What!" she cried, strangely disappointed.