“Luke’s,” suggested Mrs. Harrington, with cynical curtness. There was a subtle suggestion of finality in her tone, a tiniest note of weariness which almost said--
“Now we have reached our goal.”
“I suppose,” said Mrs. Ingham-Baker doubtfully, “that it is really a fine vessel?”
“So I am told.”
“I really expect,” put in Agatha carelessly, “that one steamer is as good as another.”
Mrs. Harrington turned on her like suave lightning.
“But one boat is not so well officered as another, my dear!” she said.
Agatha--not to be brow-beaten, keen as the older fencer--looked Mrs. Harrington straight in the face.
“You mean Luke,” she said. “Of course I dare say he is a good officer. But one always feels doubtful about trusting one’s friends--does one not?”
“One does,” answered Mrs. Harrington, turning to her letters.