Dixon, stepping up the after companionway after dinner, a cigarette between his lips, encountered the young sailing master.
“Good evening,” Tom greeted, pleasantly.
“Oh, good evening,” returned Mr. Dixon, smiling and showing his teeth.
“Did you ever see a pleasanter night than this on the water?” asked Halstead.
“Not many, anyway. I hope the ladies will soon come up to enjoy it.”
“I hope so,” nodded Tom. “Somehow, this sort of a night suggests the need of singing and stringed instruments on deck, doesn’t it?”
He spoke with an affectation of good will that deceived even Oliver Dixon, who, after glancing keenly, at the young captain, suddenly said:
“Halstead, you didn’t seem to like me very well, for a while.”
“If I didn’t,” spoke the young skipper, seriously, “it may have been due to a rather big misunderstanding.”
“Of what kind?” demanded Dixon.