Lawrence was telling a story with good effect; sometimes he smiled as he talked; he was really very entertaining and very good-humored. His wife endeavored to forget the time when she had given him a certain promise. Were such promises ever kept, any more than the false vows that men were continually making?
The launch was going quite fast, straight out on the smooth water to sea. The land was already two or three miles away.
Prudence saw Lawrence turn and look towards the coast that lay low, its white sand glittering in the bright light. Then he glanced towards Meramble.
"Can you swim, Mr. Meramble?" he asked, presently.
"Certainly," the man replied, with a slight accent of surprise.
"So fortunate," returned Lawrence.
"Why fortunate?"
"Because I am presently going to throw you into the sea," was the suave answer.
The other man thought this was a joke, and a very poor joke. But he laughed, and said there might be a difference of opinion about that.
"Oh, no, I think not; I think I can do it easily."