"Is it that damned ferret again?"
She nodded.
"Don't let it worry you so much, sweet. It's only a hunch and I don't think he's right."
"What if he is right, what then?" She went on without waiting for an answer. "I want children, I don't want to be sterile."
"Well you aren't, or at least I don't suppose so. Probably you won't be."
She looked at me scornfully. "What chance have I of avoiding the flu when millions of others are getting it?"
"Oh Lord, you women! Can't you see there's absolutely no evidence for this silly fear of yours? Damn Hallam and his wild ideas! Why don't you forget it?"
"Because I think he's right, that's why." She stood up abruptly. "Let's go on deck."
I followed her out into the cockpit. We were still at anchor, intending to start back after a few hours sleep. The sloop was as quiet as a resting seabird in the black shadow of a rocky point. It was cold. In a few minutes Pat shivered and came close to me, her arms about my waist. The keen air had awakened me, and, as I caressed her, smoothing away the little pebbles of gooseflesh on her shoulders and back, her warm body against mine stirred again the desire I had felt before the collision. She must have known. Slowly her arms came up and around my neck. Her head, cushioned on my chest, lifted and her full lips brushed mine lightly. For a moment I hesitated. Through the thin suit she felt naked under my hands, trembling with cold and excitement.
"I can't take much more of this, Pat," I whispered. "Either you quit right now or you go down to bed."