Drew paused a moment before speaking, then he said slowly:
"Well, my crisis was only a mare's nest, it seems. I was beginning to think it was to be a day of adventures. One seemed enough."
"One?" queried Medbury, looking up sharply.
"Yes; Miss March fell across the rail. I caught her just in time. I thought you saw."
Medbury's face flushed.
"I didn't see," he said. "I didn't understand."
It was Drew's face that flushed now.
"I ought to explain," he began, but Medbury broke in:
"You haven't anything to explain to me. I'm the mate of this vessel; nothing more. That's all the interest I've got here, and all I want."
With that he walked away. He knew it was childish, but, having let himself go, he was no longer able to exercise his self-restraint till the whole madness had passed.