Anny caught her breath and the sailor went on:
“And, mistress, he bids me tell you to be ready to go with him when he comes for you.”
Anny’s sewing slid off her lap onto the ground unheeded.
Blueneck noticed her confusion and, dropping his voice to a whisper, said kindly:
“Take heart, lass, if ever the Captain kissed a woman, he loves you,” and then, recovering his respectful manner, he added, “and the Captain prays you to be secret for a while.”
Then with a smile and cheerful wave of his hand he turned and left her.
Anny sat spellbound.
It had come.
Immediately her thoughts flew to Nan. She must tell Nan at once for, whether the old woman could help her or not, the girl realized that she was the only person on the Island who was willing to do so.
She got up to get her shawl and then remembered that she dared not leave the Ship.