“There,” she said quietly, “that’s what I’ve longed for; just once, to be absolutely free. Do you understand?”
I shook my head.
“There is nothing of the adventurer in me, Miss Baldwin.”
“Then why are you here; why don’t you leave the yacht?”
“That’s different. I came aboard as part of the expedition. I remain because——”
“Because you are not a quitter.” She laughed gaily, then grew serious. “I’m a queer bird, am I not, Mr. Pitt?”
“Well, you have succeeded in startling me. When you came on board I judged you to be the typical young girl of your class who has led so sheltered a life——”
“I have, I have! Oh, so—so sheltered! That’s why I’m wild to be something else for once.”
“So sheltered a life that you would shrink and flee when you discovered that you were the only woman on board the yacht. And that you would be terror-stricken when I told you the true state of affairs on board.”
She nodded with mock contrition.