"Cynthy's awake," were the Skipper's first words. "She's been askin' for you."
Asking for me!
"For me?" said I, finding my voice. "Tell that to a sea soldier, Captain."
"She has, honest Ingun," said the Skipper. "She woke up a while ago. I was sittin' by her, and she opened her eyes and she said—What do you think, Jones?"
"How can I tell," asked I, very red in the face. There was a buzzing in my ears. I waited an hour, it seemed to me, before the Skipper continued:
"She turned over and she opened her eyes."
"You said that before, Captain," urged I.
"Yes, yes, so I did. Let's see, where was I? Cynthy was asleep, you know, and I was sittin' by——"
"Please hurry a little faster, Captain," said I. "I have something very important to tell you, as the head of this expedition, you know, sir."
"Shesaidhiramwhathaveyougottotellme," rattled off the Skipper.