"Shipped a sea or two, no doubt. The wind is dropping, but the sea is running mountains high."
He had taken off his oilskins. Constance suddenly felt a strong disinclination to rise. Being a strong-willed young person, she sprang up instantly.
"I came to ask you if you can see Mrs. Vansittart," she said.
"Mrs. Vansittart!" he cried, with a genuine surprise that thrilled her with a pleasure she assuredly could not account for.
"Yes. She asked if she might have a word with you."
He threw his hands up in comic despair.
"Tell the good lady I am up to my eyes in work. The oil is running low. I must hie me to the pump at once. I have my journal to fill. If there is no sun I cannot heliograph and I have a host of signals to look up and get ready. And, a word in your ear, Connie dear. We will be 'at home' on the rock for the next forty-eight hours. Give the lady my very deep regrets and ask her to allow me to send for her when I have a minute to spare, some hours hence."
She kissed him.
"You dear old thing," she cried. "You will tire yourself to death, I am sure."
He caught her by the chin.