No. 8 stood with the receiver pressed tightly to his ear, a look of perplexity on his face, and after a long pause asked hesitatingly:
“Didn’t he say anything more, sir?”
“I can’t see but that he has covered the subject fully, my boy.”
“But does he still think I must go where he lives?”
Benny could hear Mr. Bradford laughing, and he wondered why the gentleman should have thought there was anything comical in a question so important to him.
“Are any of the crew within call?” Mr. Bradford asked at length.
“I think Mr. Hardy is in the oil-room, sir.”
“Tell him I am at the ’phone.”
Sam was coming toward the station when Benny opened the door, and on being told who desired to speak with him, he hurried forward, an expression of anxiety appearing on his face.
There was a decided change in his countenance five minutes later, and then he dropped the receiver very suddenly to grasp Benny’s hands.