"We'll go!" said Ramsey before the willing boy could reply, though from every side came protests.
For once Hugh and the twins were in accord. "You must not!" called Hugh. "You shall not!" said Julian.
She glanced from one to the other, tinkling her prettiest, and suddenly flushed. "We will!"
The twins sent Hugh a hot look which he paid back with a cold one, while Mrs. Gilmore said:
"I'll have to go with you, Ramsey."
For one breath the girl was taken aback, but then:
"Yes," she said, "to the door, that's all."
As they turned after Basile and Joy she added: "'Twas I, you know, that got the bishop sick in the first place."
At the corner of the texas they glanced back but were reassured to see the cub-pilot disappearing on the nearest boiler-deck stair at the outer, depopulated side of the boat, the actor and Hugh moving toward it, and the twins holding the field and scowling after their opponents. Nevertheless, the moment the sister and wife passed from view Julian sturdily, Lucian feebly, pressed after Hugh and the player. The last witness was gone; now was their time.
"Mr. Courteney," said Julian. The other two looked back and paused.