"You're bully!" he exclaimed finally in admiration. "You're a woman with an efficient brain."
This little speech made Emily glow with happiness. She had had many a pretty compliment addressed to her by artists at that game, but never one which gave her this pleasure. Somehow she felt that thus he would have spoken to another man whose work he wished to praise. She understood that Paul Lavelle held order and efficiency above everything else. She was efficient in his sight. She fairly ran when he gave her the word to go aft and stand by the wheel.
The donkey boiler had made a full head of steam half an hour before. Now Paul started the engine which was connected with two hoisting drums protruding from each side of the forward house. He hoisted and hauled with these drums—set an additional headsail, and hauled his main yards round. Within ten minutes he had the Daphne bearing away to the northward with the wind over her port quarter. He ran aft and by hand swayed up the peak of the spanker as best he could. Next he set the patent log which was trailing over the stern.
Pausing to note the effect of the spanker he there and then stored in his memory the fact that with the peak down and a slight lee helm the Daphne, with the canvas she was now carrying, would practically take care of herself hove to in a light breeze.
When he looked over Emily's shoulder at the compass he could hear her heart beating wildly.
"How are you heading?" he asked with a slight brusqueness.
"Northeast by north, half north," she answered accurately and with a sharp intake of the breath.
"Keep her so."
All the gold woman could do was nod that she heard. The power of speech seemed to have gone from her. Awe of the big fabric of iron and canvas and web upon web of ropes and gear obeying the impulse of her small hands was upon her. It was a big game. It was a terrific, intoxicating, joyous sensation. She had but one distinct thought: That was to go sailing on in the Daphne—just she and this man alone—forever and ever. All the years of her past faded away—the moment obliterated their insignificance. Her eyes, alight with love, went seeking the man's face and found him turned away from her, entering the lounge.
"Rouse me at the slightest weather change—in two hours anyway," he called from within.