"Elsa," said Alec, his eyes shining, "nobody ever had a better friend than you have been to me. I owe my life to you. I can't tell you——" He broke off short, afraid to say any more.
Just then a great voice boomed in the hallway. "Are you youngsters going to talk all night?"
"Good night," said Elsa. She held out her hand to Alec. And he was a surprisingly long time letting go of it.
CHAPTER XX THE OSPREY'S NEST
Despite the late hour of retirement, the shipper's household was astir at the usual time next morning, and that was pretty early. The minute breakfast was eaten the shipper hurried away to superintend the overhauling of his boats, and Elsa and Alec drove to the oyster wharf, laden with a generous luncheon that Mrs. Rumford had packed for them.
"We'll need a setting-pole," said Elsa, as they were about to board the Osprey. "It will be necessary to push the boat into the little harbor I'm going to show you."
Alec borrowed a setting-pole and the two were soon afloat. The day promised to be hot. The sun had risen like a ball of fire. Hardly a cloud flecked the wide expanse of blue sky. But there was a fair breeze blowing, which promised to temper the heat. But neither Elsa nor Alec cared whether it was hot or cold. They were together, and they were engaged in a business of prime importance. Life had a zest that could have been found in no mere idle holiday.