It made her angry to see how Ralph hung around. She delayed coming ashore as long as she could, hoping he would go away. She did not want a scene with him.
Ralph, however, did not even rise from his recumbent position when the fishing party beached the dory on the strand between the out-thrust reefs. Lorna hurried away, and Ralph did not attempt to join her, as she had feared he would. Instead, he got up slowly and aided Degger draw up the lightkeeper's dory.
"Awf'ly nice girl, that," said Degger boldly.
"Yes."
"Good sport, too. I never met a nicer girl."
"I don't believe you ever did," said the other, his level gaze boring Degger rather unpleasantly.
"Oh, I don't know!" ejaculated Degger, with sudden warmth and a sneer on his lips. "I've known a lot of girls——"
"But not of her kind," broke in Ralph. "And don't you think it! Watch your step with Lorna."
"What's the matter with you, Endicott?" snapped Degger. "I don't have to take orders from you."
"Not as long as you go straight you don't," Ralph assured him. "But we all think too much of Lorna Nicholet around her to see anybody try to misbehave with her."