Jack raised his uniform cap.
“Nothing, Miss Jarrold,” he said. “Your——”
“My uncle,” she continued for him, “is very anxious to be informed as soon as you do hear.”
“Of course, the captain will have to be told first,” he said. Her dark eyes snapped and she bit her lip with a row of perfectly even, gleaming little teeth.
“Can’t it be arranged so that my uncle can know first about it?” she said, breaking into a smile after her momentary display of irritation. “Suppose you told—well, me, for instance.”
“I would be only too glad to do anything to oblige you, Miss Jarrold,” said Jack deferentially, “but that is out of the question.”
“But why?” she demanded.
“It’s a rule,” responded Jack.
“Oh, dear, what is a stupid old rule! My uncle is rich and would pay you well for any favor you did him, and then I should be awfully grateful.”
“I’m just as sorry as you are,” Jack assured her, “but I simply could not do it.”