“Yes; if one is off guard—careless,” the captain assented, flowingly.
“Can one in earnest be other than careless? I shall walk on that line up to the end. Who makes me deviate is my enemy!”
The playful little person balanced herself to make one foot follow the other along a piece of washed grey rope on the shingle. Soon she had to stretch out her hand for help, and the captain at full arm's length conducted her to the final knot.
“Arrived safe!” she said, smiling.
“But not disengaged,” he rejoined, in similar style.
“Please!” She doubled her elbow to give a little tug for her fingers.
“No.” He pressed them tighter.
“Pray?”
“No.”
“Must I speak to somebody else to get me released?”