He found speech. "Something has happened to the ship."
"I knew you'd come," she said with quiet confidence.
"Aren't you afraid?"
"I was afraid."
A roll of the ship brought the chill water up about her feet. She shivered and winced. Stooping he caught her under the knees, and lifted her to his arms. Feeling the easy buoyancy of his strength beneath her, she lapsed against his shoulder, wholly trustful, wholly content. Through the passage he splashed, around the turn, and up the broad companionway. Not until he had found a chair in the near corner of the lower saloon did he set her down. Released from his arms, she realized with a swift shock the loss of all sense of security. She shot a quick glance at him, half terrified, half wistful. But the Tyro was now all for action.
"What clothes do you most need?" he asked sharply.
"Clothes? I don't know." She found it hard to adjust the tumult which had suddenly sprung up within her, to such considerations.
"Shoes and stockings. A heavy coat. Your warmest dress—where is it? What else?"
"What are you going to do?"
"Go back after your things."