"To get the twins away from the senator and the general, and their brother away from them and back to his——"
"Sister!" softly laughed Ramsey. "Oh, not to mom-a! just to me! I'll go—" She started, but Hugh said:
"To you, yes, when my father has put him in a way to cover his loss without telling your mother."
Their eyes met again. Hers were bright and wet with accusal. "Is that your proposition?"
"Yes, and my father's too."
She whipped round and gazed out again over the tawny waters. To gaze out beside her he came so near that they almost touched. The shores were once more a clear picture, greener than ever and unvexed by the wind. The rain was slight and fine. The boat was swinging northward toward a small blue rift in the gray. At the room's farther door the mate was leaving the Gilmores for the forecastle.
Without a stir she asked: "Why don't you bring Basile?"
"I must stay with our friends here."
The surprised girl glanced across at the players.
Side by side they also were gazing out and speaking low. "I'd like to know why with them."