Part 29 (1/2)
”You don't say!” pinching the ear nearest.
”This is the seventh day out, and not one of them has ceased to be interesting yet.”
”Would they cease to be interesting if they proposed?” quizzing.
These two had no unshared secrets. They were sure of each other. He knew that when this child of his divided her affection with another man, that man would be deserving.
”I would rather have them all as they are. They make fine comrades.”
He sighed thankfully. ”Arthur seems to be out of the race.”
”Rather say I am!” with laughter. ”Why, a child could read Arthur Cathewe's face when he looks at her. Isn't she simply beautiful?”
”Very. But there are types and types.”
”Am I really pretty?” Sometimes she grew shy under her father's open admiration. She was afraid it was his love rather than his judgment that made her beautiful in his eyes.
”My child, there's more than one man who will agree with me when I say that there is no one to compare with you. You are the living quotation from Keats.”
”I shall kiss you for that.” And straightway she did.
”What do you think of Mr. Breitmann?” soberly.
”He is charming sometimes; but he has a little too much reserve.
Doubtless he sees his position too keenly. He should not.”
”Do you like him?”
”Yes,” frankly.
”So do I; and yet there are moments when I do not.” The admiral filled his pipe carefully.
”But your reason?” surprised.
”That's just the trouble. I haven't any tangible reason. The doubt exists, and I can't explain it. The sea often looks smooth and mild, and the sky is cloudless; yet an old sailor will suddenly grow suspicious; he will see a storm, a heavy blow. And why, he couldn't say for the life of him. Flanagan will tell you.”
The girl grew studious and grave. Had there not been an echo of this doubt in her own mind? Immediately she smiled.
”We are talking nonsense and wasting the suns.h.i.+ne.”
”How about Fitzgerald?”
”Oh, he's the most sensible of them all. He proposed to me the first night out.”
”What?” The admiral dropped his pipe.
”Not so loud!” she warned. And then the clear music of her laughter penetrated beyond the cabin; and Fitzgerald, wandering about without purpose, heard it and paused.
”You minx!” growled the admiral; ”to scare your old father like that!”