“Well, it’s easy learnt, and you’re not much use aboard unless you can take your hand at the wheel.”
He said nothing for a minute, admiring the way she had steered clear of the subject he had started on.
“I don’t mind,” said he at last. “I’ll learn some time—you can teach me.”
Jude let her eyes rest on him. Then suddenly, and with the vehemence and force of a Methodist preacher driving home a point from the pulpit, she spoke:
“Air you stuck to the bottom of that dinghy with cobbler’s wax?”
He laughed and stood up.
“That’s right,” said Jude. “Now come’n take the wheel. Some time’s no time! You’ve got to learn to handle her now if you want to. Go behind me and look over my shoulder—that’s right.”
He stood behind her, wondering what the next command would be. It came almost at once.
“Stick your eye on the compass card.”
“Right.”