CHAPTER X
MRS. AUSTIN MAKES SOME PLANS
Mrs. Austin's veranda was not as crowded as usual. For one thing, a steamer that touched at Las Palmas regularly had arrived from the Argentine and her captain was giving a ball, to which Mrs. Austin had resolved she would not go. Captain Farquhar's friends were numerous but rather mixed; his feasts were not marked by the strict observance of conventional rules, and at Las Palmas Jacinta Austin was something of a great lady. When Kit came up the steps she gave him a gracious smile.
"I'm flattered because you have not, like the others, deserted me," she said.
"You are kind to hint you would note if I came or not," Kit replied. "However, I must own I don't dance."
"Then, if you did dance, you would have gone to Captain Farquhar's ball?"
Kit smiled. "I think not. To begin with, I'd sooner come here, and I went on board Carsegarry when she called on her outward run. Captain Farquhar's kind, but I had enough. In another sense, so had Macallister and Don Erminio."
"You would be nicer if you knew where to stop," Mrs. Austin remarked.
"If you'll let me stop now for half an hour, I'll be satisfied," said Kit.
"Satisfied?" said Mrs. Austin. "Oh, well, I know you're frank. Frankness has advantages, but perhaps it's not always necessary."
She noted that his glance wandered to Olivia, and she began to talk about something else. He was not going to join Olivia, but while she talked she studied Kit. He was an honest, sober young fellow, and had recently begun to make allowances for others, and had learned to laugh. In the meantime, however, she thought his laugh was forced.