“You certainly are.”
“Then that’s settled. Tell me what Miss Stretton was talking to you about.”
I was somewhat taken aback by this extraordinary request, but replied easily:
“Oh, we had not been walking the deck very long, and we discussed nothing of extreme importance so far as I can remember.”
“What did she say about me?”
“I assure you, Miss Hemster, your name was not mentioned between us.”
“Really? Then what on earth did you talk about?”
“When I have the good fortune to be in your presence, Miss Hemster, I confess it seems impossible that I should talk about anyone else than yourself, nevertheless I should not presume to discuss one lady with another.”
The girl jerked away her arm again, and turned to me with a flash in her eyes that was somewhat disconcerting.