As for the degree of peril in a crossing of Scalawag Run, she was not aware of it; she was from St. John's, not out-port born. The ice in the swell of the sea, with fog creeping around Point-o'-Bay in a rising wind, meant nothing to her experience. At any rate, she would not permit herself to fall into a questionable situation in which she might be called severely to account. She was not of that sort. She had her own interests to serve. They would be best served by an exact execution of her duty.
"This telegram," said she, "is an office secret, as I have told you already. I have my orders not to betray office secrets."
Tommy Lark was abashed.
"Look you," he argued. "If the message is of no consequence an' could be delayed——"
"I haven't said that it is of no consequence."
"Then 'tis of consequence!"
"I don't say that it is of consequence. I don't say anything either way. I don't say anything at all."
"Well, now," Tommy complained, "t' carry that message across Scalawag Run would be a wonderful dangerous——"
"You don't have to carry it across."
"True. Yet 'tis a man's part t' serve——"