Part 35 (2/2)
Dr Macphail, thus directly tackled, had the shy man's resentment at being forced out into the open. He felt his temper rising, and he flushed.
”I don't see that it can make any difference if she goes to Sydney rather than to San Francisco, and so long as she promises to behave while she's here it's dashed hard to persecute her.”
The missionary fixed him with his stern eyes.
”Why is she unwilling to go back to San Francisco?”
”I didn't enquire,” answered the doctor with some asperity. ”And I think one does better to mind one's own business.”
Perhaps it was not a very tactful answer.
”The governor has ordered her to be deported by the first boat that leaves the island. He's only done his duty and I will not interfere. Her presence is a peril here.”
”I think you're very harsh and tyrannical.”
The two ladies looked up at the doctor with some alarm, but they need not have feared a quarrel, for the missionary smiled gently.
”I'm terribly sorry you should think that of me, Dr Macphail. Believe me, my heart bleeds for that unfortunate woman, but I'm only trying to do my duty.”
The doctor made no answer. He looked out of the window sullenly. For once it was not raining and across the bay you saw nestling among the trees the huts of a native village.
”I think I'll take advantage of the rain stopping to go out,” he said.
”Please don't bear me malice because I can't accede to your wish,” said Davidson, with a melancholy smile. ”I respect you very much, doctor, and I should be sorry if you thought ill of me.”
”I have no doubt you have a sufficiently good opinion of yourself to bear mine with equanimity,” he retorted.
”That's one on me,” chuckled Davidson.
When Dr Macphail, vexed with himself because he had been uncivil to no purpose, went downstairs, Miss Thompson was waiting for him with her door ajar.
”Well,” she said, ”have you spoken to him?”
”Yes, I'm sorry, he won't do anything,” he answered, not looking at her in his embarra.s.sment.
But then he gave her a quick glance, for a sob broke from her. He saw that her face was white with fear. It gave him a shock of dismay. And suddenly he had an idea.
”But don't give up hope yet. I think it's a shame the way they're treating you and I'm going to see the governor myself.”
”Now?”
He nodded. Her face brightened.
”Say, that's real good of you. I'm sure he'll let me stay if you speak for me. I just won't do a thing I didn't ought all the time I'm here.”
Dr Macphail hardly knew why he had made up his mind to appeal to the governor. He was perfectly indifferent to Miss Thompson's affairs, but the missionary had irritated him, and with him temper was a smouldering thing. He found the governor at home. He was a large, handsome man, a sailor, with a grey toothbrush moustache; and he wore a spotless uniform of white drill.
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