"I shall think of you and George often enough," he announced, briskly. "Yes, indeed. And—and if it isn't too soon—that is, if you don't mind my bein' the first one—I'd like to congratulate you and wish you a smooth passage and a long one."
She did not answer and he mustered courage to turn and look at her. She was looking at him and her expression was odd.
"A smooth passage?" she repeated. "Why, Cap'n Kendrick, I'm not going to sea. What do you mean?"
"I mean—well, I meant—er—oh, I was speakin' in parables, like a minister, you know. I was wishin' you and George a happy voyage through life, that's all."
"George! Why, I am going away with my mother. George isn't.... Why, Cap'n Kendrick, you don't think—you can't think that George and I are—are——"
"Eh? Aren't you? I thought——"
She shook her head. "I told you once," she said. "I mean it. I like George well enough—sometimes I like him better than at others. But—oh, why can't you believe me?"
He was staring at her with a gaze so intent, an expression so strange that she could not meet it. She turned away.
"Please don't say any more about it," she begged.
"But—but George is—he has counted on it. He told me——"