Part 1 (2/2)
She closed her book. ”Oh, yes,” she said, ”but I don't know many men on board, and there are such a lot of young people who do know one another.
It's pretty to watch them; but the night is pretty, too, don't you think? The stars all seem so near compared to what they do at home.”
”I've seen too many Eastern nights to take much stock in 'em now,” he said in a disparaging voice. ”I take it this is all new to you--first voyage, eh?”
”Yes, I've never been a long voyage before.”
”Goin' to India, I suppose. You'd have started sooner if you'd been goin' for the winter to Australia. Now what are you goin' to India _for_?”
”To stay with my sister.”
”Married sister?”
”Yes.”
”Older than you, then, of course.”
”No, younger.”
”Much younger?”
”Three years.”
”Is she like you?”
”Not in the least. She is a beautiful person.”
”Been married long?”
”Between five and six years. I'm to take her home at the end of the cold weather.”
”Any kids?”
”Two.”
”And you haven't been out before?”
”No; this is my first visit.”
”She's been home, I suppose?”
”Yes, once.”
”Is her husband in the Army?”
”No.”
Had Sir Langham been an observant person he would have noted that her very brief replies did not exactly encourage further questions. But his idea of conversation was either a monologue or a means of obtaining information, so he instantly demanded, ”What does her husband do?”
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