"From which I infer," retorted Alec, "that you do not wish anything to eat yourself. It's just as well, for I think I can get away with all that steak myself. Please pass it over."
He took the frying-pan away from her, but it was only because the steak was cooked and he wanted to sling the coffee-pot over the fire.
Elsa looked distressed. "Aren't you going to give me any of that steak?" she cried in pretended consternation.
"I understand from your remarks that this was all intended for me," teased Alec.
"It will be first-degree murder if you don't give me some," said Elsa. "I'll surely die of starvation in a few minutes if I don't get something to eat."
At the word murder, the fun died out of Alec's eyes. "Please don't," he said, "not even in fun. That word murder has come to have a very ugly sound to me in the last twenty-four hours."
They were silent a moment. Then such a soft light crept into Elsa's eyes that Alec had to jump up and tend the fire to keep control of himself.
At last the meal was eaten. "I'm too full to do another stroke of work," said Alec.
"Then we'll go take a look at the little harbor I have picked out for you."