“Yes—yes, pray tell him,” added Mrs Morley, as the young officer addressed was continuing his route.
“Let’s see,” said the Captain; “the Doctor’s gone off to see to the Rajah, hasn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, I see; and you are nervous from being left alone.”
“No, no, Captain Down. I am afraid that something has happened to the boat.”
“Yes, of course; ladies always are,” said the Captain cheerily, “when they are sitting up waiting. Now, now, be cool. There are scores of things that might have happened in a little expedition like this. First of all, they may have stopped to watch the fire-flies.”
“Oh yes, but not so late.”
“Well, no; but they may have gone much farther than they intended. It is very tempting on a night like this.”
“But I begged Archie Maine to be back in good time.”
“Archie Maine is only a boy, and thoughtless; and I dare say Miss Heath would be delighted with the trip; and then there would be night-blooming flowers to look at, the noises of the jungle to listen to, and the splashing of the croc—”