When the sub. had recovered from Sallie's smile and her carnation tint, he stammered his regret.
"I'm most awfully sorry; but I'm here to take liberty men aboard. I'm, I'm, afraid I can't, otherwise I would with er—er—er——"
"What are liberty men?" questioned Sallie, looking at him with grey-eyed gravity.
"Men who have been ashore on leave," was the response.
"Can you signal to that?" asked Sallie with guile, nodding at the guardship.
"I beg pardon," replied the bewildered sub, fast breaking up beneath Sallie's gaze.
"Does the captain know the First Sea Lord, Admiral Crosstrees?"
"I—I don't know," he replied, "I——"
"I am Miss Crosstrees. Will you please tell me who you are. I should like to know, because you are the first officer I have met who has been discourteous to me. I will not trouble you further," and she moved away like an outraged Mrs. Siddons.
"I—I'm awfully sorry, Miss Crosstrees. I didn't know——of course——if you can get down. I will most certainly——" He collapsed into confused silence.