On the following day Dench absented himself and asked Jack to mind the ferry.
When he had put a passenger across he returned, slightly dipping the oars in the water, to fall into a dream and think of her. On that afternoon he heard a call from the Axmouth side, and on going from the cabin saw that Winefred was waiting to be put across.
He flushed crimson, and his heart fluttered. He was angry with himself for feeling excitement. He crossed and held out his hand to assist her on board, but she leaped into the boat unaided.
She took her place, and looked resolutely at the Chesil Bank, not once at him, nor did she open her mouth to speak.
Again, on reaching the shore, did he offer his hand, and she dropped into it a penny, but would not touch it.
In an hour she was back again, with some purchases she had made in Seaton. She looked him in the face now, but with a stony eye, and demanded to be put across.
Although whilst in the boat she would not look at him, yet he could see by her uneasy movements on the bench that she knew that he was watching her. He saw her bend her brows and purse her lips.
She left the boat hastily, casting the penny into it, and shortly after Jack saw that in her hurry she had neglected to take up one of her parcels. He hurried after her, caught her up, and presented it to her.
'I thank you,' said she coldly. 'Here is for your pains,' and offered him twopence.