There was a pause. We could hear our own hearts beat. And then:
"I would to Heaven that those girls were not on board!"
"But we are!" It was Sylvia's voice. With a bound she had flung open the door, and stood confronting the astonished pair. "We are here. And as we are here, Captain Maitland, oh! don't, don't keep us in the dark!"
"Good heavens!" ejaculated the doctor.
And the captain said in his severest tones:
"Young lady, you've been eavesdropping, I see. Let me tell you that's a thing I won't allow."
"Oh! Captain Maitland, is the ship in danger?" I cried.
But the captain only glared at me. He looked excessively annoyed.
Then Sylvia ran up and put her hand upon his arm.
"We could not help hearing," she said. "If the ship is in danger really, it is better for us to know. Please, don't be vexed with us; but we'd rather be told the truth. We—we——"