"Well?" she said.
"I like him," said Mrs. Jefferson. "I think I'd like the girl. One feels he drew her better than he knew."
"Yet he's not her lover."
"He doesn't know he is her lover, but it's important that when he thinks about her being ill he's strongly moved. To know she might get well here but he can't help, hurts. I'm sorry she can't come."
"I don't know that it's impossible," Mrs. Austin replied.
Mrs. Jefferson gave her a thoughtful glance. Jacinta was generous and often helped people, but Mrs. Jefferson imagined she had an object now.
"You don't know her and I expect she's independent."
"For all that, I don't imagine she would refuse a good post, and a post where the work is light might be got. We'll talk about it again."
When Campeador arrived at Santa Cruz, Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Jefferson drove across the island to Orotava and Kit went round with the ship. Orotava is open to the Atlantic and landing is sometimes awkward, but onions were cheap and the company had engaged to load a barque for Cuba. Kit sent off a quantity on board the cargo launches and then went to the agent's office to pay for the goods. In Spanish countries, business is not transacted with much speed and when he started for the harbour it was dark. He wore deck-shoes and thin white clothes, and his pockets bulged with documents. At the marina he met Mrs. Austin, Olivia, and Jefferson.
"We came down after dinner to see the surf; it's rather grand to-night," Olivia remarked. "I suppose you are going on board?"