“How should I know? Some merchant or official out at Port Jackson. They are going to join him. Julie—”
“Hullo!” cried Mrs Otway, “has it come to that?”
“Miss Hallam,” continued the young officer, flushing, “told me she had not seen her father for years.”
Captain Otway turned to his wife, and she exchanged glances with him in a meaning way.
Eaton looked sharply from one to the other, his eyes flashing, and his white teeth showing as he bit his lip.
“What do you two mean?” he cried angrily.
“Oh, nothing!” said Otway, shrugging his shoulders.
“I insist upon knowing!” cried Eaton. “You would not look like that without deep cause; and it is not fair to me. Look here, I can’t bear it! You are thinking something respecting these people; and it is not like my old friends. Hang it all, am I a boy?”
“Yes,” said Mrs Otway gently, “a foolish, hot-headed, impetuous boy. Now, my dear Phil, be reasonable. The young lady is sweet and gentle, and sings charmingly. She is a delicious little companion for the voyage, and at your wish Jack and I have been very friendly, not feeling ourselves called upon during a Voyage like this to inquire into people’s antecedents so long as they were pleasant.”
“But—”