"Well, we haven't any need to speak to her," went on Captain Brisco. "We're going to anchor soon."
"Anchor?" asked Jepson.
"Yes, they want to take some of their pictures!" It was evident to Alice, from the tone of voice in which Captain Brisco spoke, that he had little sympathy with the work of the film actors. But he had been hired to do his part with the ship, and must carry out his agreement with Mr. Pertell.
The captain handed back the glass, and went to consult with the manager about making a landing. They were near several small islands, any one of which would probably do as a background for some of the picture-play scenes.
Left to himself Jack Jepson took another long look at the oncoming steamer.
Alice watched him curiously.
"Yes, she's a lime-juicer," he remarked, and something like a sigh escaped him.
"A—a lime-juicer?" repeated Alice in some surprise. "I thought you said she was a steamer."
"So she is. But we old sailors used to call all British ships 'lime-juicers,' because they used to be the only ones that was compelled by law to carry lime juice."
"Why lime juice?" Alice wanted to know.