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But Cai, though he obeyed, and stood for a moment in the direct line of their vision, could detect no change in the unwinking eyes. "Cap'n Hunken will even have it that he hears what's said, or scraps of it. But that I don't believe. . . . I believe 'tis but a buzzin' in his ears, with no sense to it, an' 'twould be jus' the same if we was the band of the R'yal Lifeguards."
"It feels like Friday to me," maintained Cai. But here Mrs Bosenna interposed. "'Twon't feel like Christmas to me then if you two start arguin'. 'Peace and goodwill' was the motto, as I thought; but I don't see much of either abroad this afternoon." The pair started guiltily and avoided each other's eyes.
"Well, whether he hears or not, I've a piece o' news for 'Bias Hunken, here. . . . P'raps he'd like to step outside an' discuss it?" suggested Cai awkwardly, remembering how he and 'Bias had parted overnight. "I don't want to hear anything you can say," growled 'Bias. "Oh, yes, you do! . . . I reckoned as you'd be down here, first thing after breakfast, sarchin' for them papers we talked about."
An' down in the town the church bell goin' for early Communion, but he'll attend mornin' service later on. An', across the road, there's the garden, full o' flowers, an' smellin' an' a blessed sense as he can pick an' choose an' take his time with it all." Captain Cai had wandered to the front window.
Yet there remained a 'Bias in need of help, though stubborn to reject it: a 'Bias to be saved somehow, in spite of himself, an unforgiving 'Bias, yet still to be rescued. Cai smoked six pipes that night, pondering the problem. He was aroused by the sound of the clock in the hall striking eleven.
A voice 'Bias's voice spoke out gruffly, demanding what was the matter? Was the house on fire? . . . No: outside the half-open window lay spread the moonlight, pale and tranquil. The night wind entering, scarcely stirred the thin dimity curtains. This was no weather for sudden hail-storms or for shipwreck. Cai flung back the bedclothes, jumped out and uttered a sharp cry of pain.
"Why, of course I will," instantly responded Mr Benny, pushing his translations of the 'Fasti' aside and producing from a drawer some sheets of fresh paper. "As a matter of business, you understand?" "If you insist; though it will be a pleasure, Captain Hocken, I assure you." "It's it's a bit difficult," stammered Cai gratefully. "In fact, it's not an ordinary sort of letter at all."
"Ea-sy all! In oars! . . . Bow, stand by to check her!" Cai called his orders clearly, sharply, in the tone of a master of men. A score of boats hampered approach to the accommodation ladder; but those that had occupants were obediently thrust wide to make way, and easily as in a barge of state Mrs Bosenna was brought alongside. A dozen hands checked the way of the boat, now abruptly.
"I'm afraid," confessed Cai, more and more bewildered, "that my education was pretty badly neglected, 'specially in literature, though for some reason or another I'm not bad at spellin'. But, puttin' spellin' aside, that's just why I've come to you. I want you to help me with a letter, if you will."
"Couldn't be fairer," agreed Cai, after a moment's reflection. "When I said the best man," 'Bias corrected himself, "I meant no more than to say the man she fancies. No reflection intended on you." "Nor on yourself, maybe?" hinted Cai, with a last faint touch of exasperation.