"What do you mean?" demanded the captain, gripping the arms of his chair.
"Sellers is a little bit premature," said Mr. Truefitt, coughing. "There is nothing settled yet, of course. I told him so. Perhaps I oughtn't to have mentioned it at all just yet, but I was so pleased to find that it was all right I had to tell somebody."
"What are you—talking about?" gasped the captain.
Mr. Truefitt looked up, and by a strong effort managed to meet the burning gaze before him.
"I told Susanna," he said, with a gulp.
"Told her? Told her what?" roared the captain.
"Told her that you said you were not worthy of her," replied Mr. Truefitt, very slowly and distinctly.
The captain took his pipe out of his mouth, and laying it on the table with extreme care listened mechanically while the clock struck five.
"What did she say?" he inquired, hoarsely, after the clock had finished.
Mr. Truefitt leaned over, and with a trembling hand patted him on the shoulder.