“The cabin was stuffy. I couldn’t sleep.”

“I wonder.”

“About what?”

“If there isn’t a wild streak in you that corresponds with mine. You fall into the picture naturally—curious and unafraid.”

“Why should I be afraid, and why shouldn’t I be curious?”

“The greatest honour a woman ever paid me. I mean that you shouldn’t be afraid of me when everything should warn you to give me plenty of sea room.” 211

“I know more about men than I do about women.”

“And I know too much about both.”

“There have been other women—besides the one who laughed?”

“Yes. Perhaps I was cruel enough to make them pay for that.