Part 30 (1/2)
”I must leave you now,” she said a little coldly. ”I have to----”
”Half a mo',” broke in Smith, ”you haven't heard the lady's name yet.”
”I don't think I want to, thanks. It's not a matter which----”
”Isn't it! You wait. The lady's name is Dora Fletcher--how about that?”
An angry flush mounted to the girl's face, and then, being blessed with that rare possession, a sense of humour, she had much ado to prevent herself from laughing outright.
”I'm afraid I can't oblige you, Mr. Smith,” she said. ”Although, of course, I appreciate the honour you've done me.”
”That ain't any use to me,” growled the second-mate, rather taken aback at this unhesitating rejection.
”I'm sorry, but----”
”What's wrong with me, then?” he burst out. ”Of course I'm not a bloomin' earl or a dook nor yet a Captain----”
”I think we had better forget all about it,” answered the girl. ”Please don't speak of it again.”
But Smith, his hopes dashed to the ground, and his pride wounded, was not inclined to drop the subject so lightly. In fact, he completely lost his temper.
”I suppose it's because you're sweet on the skipper,” he said savagely.
”But I can tell you that you ain't got a ghost of a chance there; no, not if you lived to a hundred. He ain't no ornery, bloomin' skipper, nor Calamity ain't his name. Would you like to know who he is?”
The girl hesitated, torn between an almost irresistible desire to learn the secret of that strange man's ident.i.ty, and disgust at the vulgar outburst of the little c.o.c.kney.
”You may as well know,” he added, noticing her indecision.
”Well, tell me then,” she retorted, unable any longer to resist the temptation.
Smith glanced furtively around the cabin as if to make sure no one was concealed there, and then leaned over the edge of his bunk.
”Come nearer,” he said; ”it ain't the sort of thing to shout out loud.”
Reluctantly she moved a little closer to him, and he whispered two words in her ear.
”Well, what do you say to that?” he asked triumphantly.
CHAPTER XXIII
DORA FLETCHER ANSWERS ”NO”
A week had pa.s.sed, and Calamity, now convalescent, was able once more to resume command. As, however, Smith was still unable to discharge his customary duties, the Captain appointed Miss Fletcher temporary mate.
”Since you are now an officer,” he said with that grim smile of his, ”you had better take your meals in the cabin with me.”
The girl's eyes lit up with pleasure for a moment, then the light died out of them and her lips hardened.