Mr. Truefitt and Mrs. Willett entered from the garden just as the Captain was explaining for the third time.
"Children are not ill, I hope," said Mr. Truefitt with ill concealed anxiety.
"No," said the Captain.
Mrs. Willett had seated herself by the side of Mrs. Chinnery, ventured to pat that lady's busy hand.
"He will soon be back," she murmured.
"He will look after that," said Mr. Truefitt, with a boisterous laugh. "Won't you, cap'n?"
Miss Willett sat regarding Captain Trimblett with a pensive air. She was beginning to regard his diffidence and shyness as something abnormal. Hints of the most helpful nature only seemed to add to his discomfort, and she began to doubt whether he would ever muster up sufficient resolution to put an end to a situation that was fast becoming embarrassing to all concerned.
"Of course," she said, suddenly, "it is only right that you should run up and see your children first. I hadn't thought of that."
"First?" repeated the captain, his face flooding with colour as he realized the inward meaning of the remark. "What do you mean by first?"
His voice was so loud that Miss Willett sat up with a start and looked round nervously.