"For how long?" demanded Beatrice.
"Till the Captain orders otherwise."
"And I'm to stay here, then, without a hat, or even a clean handkerchief, until His Majesty sees fit to let me go to my own home in broad daylight!"
The colour flamed in her cheeks, and her eyes snapped dangerously. The Ensign was enjoying the situation hugely, and thought Beatrice was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. In fact, he was on the point of saying so, but, fortunately, thought better of it.
"You can go if I go with you," he suggested.
"Then I'll stay here," announced Beatrice, with unconcealed scorn. She walked away from him with her head high, and went straight to Captain Franklin.
"Gone to see if I lied to her," laughed Ronald to himself. "She's a mettlesome damsel—devilish mettlesome."
"That is my order," said the Captain, in answer to her question, "and it must be obeyed."
"Can't I go home at all?"
"Certainly, for a few minutes at a time. Ask Ensign Ronald to go with you this afternoon."