"Well, that's curious," he cried. "I imagined you were the other young lady. The water is needed in the hospital."
"Why didn't you say so?" she snapped, being in reality very angry with herself for her flippancy. She gave him a full pail and he quitted her.
Constance, having delivered her father's message to Mr. Emmett, was greeted with a tart question when she re-entered the kitchen:
"Why on earth didn't you tell me that young man was attending to the injured people? Is he a doctor?"
"I think not. What happened?"
"He came for a second supply of water and nearly bit my head off."
"Oh, Enid! I am sure he did not mean anything. Didn't you recognize him? It was he who climbed the mast and flung the rope to us."
"There!" said Enid, "I've gone and done it. Honestly, you know, it was I who was rude. He will think me a perfect cat."
"That isn't what people are saying," explained Mr. Pyne, whose approach was deadened by the outer noise. "There's a kind of general idea floating round that this locality is an annex of heaven, with ministering angels in attendance."
In the half light of the tiny lamps he could not see Enid's scarlet face. There was a moment's silence, and this very self-possessed youth spoke again.