The shore call sounded, and the confusion
increased.
John Quincy picked up the candle and relighted it
from Rogers flame.
He switched off the cabin light and steppedout on
to the deck.
Best not to leave the car before the
house.
One of the leadingcitizens of Honolulu, I
believe.
The church news is verycompetently handled. So it
must haveseemed to the chauffeur too as, sleepy-eyed, he hurried them toward
thewater-front. Well, Ill have to cable Dan, Roger said, as they walked toward
thecorner.
A solitary light, like a star,gleamed in the
distance.
Just ask him if he recalls that day on Apiang
Island in the eighties.
Wedbetter stop at this drug store and have it
dressed.
From now on until I get home,Ill be expecting the
worst.
But ships sail at any hour, she reminded
him.
Evidently the Pacific was aBoston
suburb.
Ill be getting along up-stairs, he ventured. The
girl flushed slightly and made no reply. After what seemed an age, Roger returned,
bearing two lighted candles. Between us we ought to be able to keep thisyoung woman
entertained, Jennison had said.
John Quincy took small part in the gaiety, for he
still suffered from NewEngland inhibitions. They seemed to befloating in space in a
world where nothing ever happened, nothing couldhappen.
Standing very still, she studiedthat phosphorescent
dial. A Winterslip in the blackbirding business! In the distance he saw his room
steward, weaving his way in and out ofthe cabins under his care.
John Quincy rose and went aimlessly outside. The
young man from Boston stepped to the rail.
Sometimes John Quincy chatted with Madame Maynard
on the deck. The lights are off, but youll find candles in the pantry.
He was a smallman with gold-rimmed eye-glasses and
a fierce gray pompadour.
Theolder man thoughtfully tore it to bits and
tossed them through the carwindow open beside him.
All wrong to come home so early, she
cried.
When you look at me like that, smiled the officer,
I can only say thatIll make a supreme effort.
Jennison had rigged up an impromptu pirate dress,
and was astriking figure.
An emotional lot, we Islanders, said the old lady.
Why, its just after twelve, said Barbara. Ill take the Maid back to Sydney,Dominie,
he promised, and turn her over. Between us we ought to be able tokeep this young
woman entertained. At the moment, he was unsympathetictoward Italy.