He left under plea of business, before Mr. Carr's return, and with a reference to the family likeness obtaining between omnibuses, asked Joan to see him safe aboard. He accompanied the request with such a distortion of visage that she rightly concluded that he wished for an opportunity to speak to her alone.
"You're looking better," he said, when they got outside. "A year or two in London will be the making of you."
"A year or two!" echoed the startled Joan. "I've had quite enough of it already, thank you. I've never been so dull."
"You haven't got used to the change yet," said the captain, indulgently. "That's natural; but in another month I expect you'll have quite a different tale to tell."
"I am going home next weak," said Miss Hartley, in a decided voice.
Captain Trimblett coughed.
"Why shouldn't I?" inquired the girl, in reply.
The captain coughed again.
"I should think the Carrs would be glad to have you," he replied, becoming suddenly busy with his handkerchief, "especially as they have got no children. And a year or two with them in town would give you a—a sort of finish."
"You have heard something from my father?" exclaimed Joan, turning on him.