The doctor put the case as reasonably as he could, but now the governor ceased to smile at all. He listened sullenly, with averted gaze. Macphail saw that he was making no impression.
"I'm sorry to cause any lady inconvenience, but she'll have to sail on Tuesday and that's all there is to it."
"But what difference can it make?"
"Pardon me, doctor, but I don't feel called upon to explain my official actions except to the proper authorities."
Macphail looked at him shrewdly. He remembered Davidson's hint that he had used threats, and in the governor's attitude he read a singular embarrassment.
"Davidson's a damned busybody," he said hotly.
"Between ourselves, Dr Macphail, I don't say that I have formed a very favourable opinion of Mr Davidson, but I am bound to confess that he was within his rights in pointing out to me the danger that the presence of a woman of Miss Thompson's character was to a place like this where a number of enlisted men are stationed among a native population."
He got up and Dr Macphail was obliged to do so too.
"I must ask you to excuse me. I have an engagement. Please give my respects to Mrs Macphail."
The doctor left him crest-fallen. He knew that Miss Thompson would be waiting for him, and unwilling to tell her himself that he had failed, he went into the house by the back door and sneaked up the stairs as though he had something to hide.