'What have I said or done to make you doubt it, Helga?'
'What would you counsel?' she continued. 'Do you intend to side with him?'
'God forbid!' said I hastily.
She turned to the sea to conceal her face.
'Helga,' said I softly, for there was no chance for further tenderness than speech would convey, with Abraham stumping the deck to windward and a pair of dusky eyes at the wheel often turned upon us, 'I am sorry to have uttered a syllable to vex you. How much I am your friend you would know if you could see into my heart.'
She looked at me quickly, with her eyes full of tears, but with a grateful smile too. I was about to speak.
'Hush!' she exclaimed, and walked right aft, raising her hand to her brow, as though she spied something on the horizon astern.
'A delightful day—quite tropical,' exclaimed the Captain, advancing from the poop ladder. 'What does Miss Nielsen see?'
'She is always searching for a sail,' said I.
'May I take it,' said he, 'that you have communicated to her what has passed between us?'