“You mean you won’t tell me,” said the other, with a look of anger in his soft dark eyes.
“Just as you like,” said she, and Lee, whistling softly, turned on his heel and began to busy himself with some small matter forward.
The rest of the day passed quietly, though there was a freedom in the new mate’s manner which made the redoubtable skipper of the Osprey regret her change of crew, and to treat him with more civility than her proud spirit quite approved of. There was but little wind, and the barge merely crawled along as the captain and mate, with surreptitious glances, took each other’s measure.
“This is the nicest trip I’ve ever had,” said Lee, as he came up from an unduly prolonged tea, with a strong-smelling cigar in his mouth. “I’ve brought your jacket up.”
“I don’t want it, thank you,” said the girl.
“Better have it,” said Lee, holding it up for her.
“When I want my jacket I’ll put it on myself,” said the girl.
“All right, no offence,” said the other airily. “What an obstinate little devil you are.”
“Have you got any drink down there?” inquired the girl, eyeing him sternly.
“Just a little drop o’ whiskey, my dear, for the spasms,” said Lee facetiously. “Will you have a drop?”