"Then you make an early start?"
"At half ebb; three or four o'clock. One wishes the night would last. Nights like this are not numerous."
"You ought to be satisfied. You won the cup."
"I meant to win. For one thing, you wished me luck."
Flora blushed and wondered whether he could see her face. "After all, that was not much help," she said. "My wishing you luck wouldn't alter the wind and tide."
"It gave me an object and a stimulus. We are a curious lot and much depends on our mood. When one's braced enough, obstacles don't count. One runs risks and wins."
Flora was fastidious and got a faint jar. Yet she knew he was not a boaster; he did what he said. Besides, she was flattered.
"You are stopping for a few days, with the Commodore?" he resumed.
Flora said she was and he frowned. "I must go. I ought not to have taken the holiday, but the temptation was strong. Now I must make up for the lost time."
"Your new business keeps you occupied?"