“Oh, it’s no trouble,” said the skipper, who really thought that there was no credit due to him for his action.
She shook hands with the other man and smiled at the skipper. “I’ve seen you before,” she said, “and it is good of you to wait. I’m sure you’re very wet. This is Mr. Glover, Captain Wilson.”
The two gentlemen glared their acknowledgments, and the skipper, with a sinking at his heart, began to feel in the way. Miss Gething, after going outside to remove her hat and jacket, came in smiling pleasantly, and conversation became general, the two men using her as a sort of human telephone through which to transmit scanty ideas.
“Half-past five,” said Miss Gething suddenly. “Have you got to catch the 6.30 train, Mr. Glover?”
“Must,” said Mr. Glover dismally. “Business, you know,” he added resignedly.
“You’ll take a cup of tea before you go?” said Annis.
She was standing before Mr. Glover as she spoke, and the skipper, who had been feeling more and more in the way, rose and murmured that he must go. His amazement when Miss Gething twisted her pretty face into a warning scowl and shook her head at him, was so great that Mr. Glover turned suddenly to see the cause of it.
“You’ll take a cup, too, captain?” said Miss Gething with a polite smile.
“Thank you,” said the skipper, resuming his seat. His ideas were in a whirl, and he sat silent as the girl deftly set the tea-table and took her seat before the tray.
“Quite a tea-party,” she said brightly. “One piece of sugar, Mr. Glover?”