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Her eyes, as she turned them upon Captain Cai, were frank enough, or frank as eyes could be that guarded a soul behind glooms of reserve. They were straight, at any rate, and unflinching, and very serious. "You know his business?" "I think so, master. . . . Has he come to sign the lease? I'll fetch it from your desk, if you'll give me the keys." "Bide a bit, missy," said Captain Cai.
"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Captain Hocken." "I hope I see you well, ma'am?" Captain Cai took the hand and dropped it nervously. "Quite well, I thank God. . . . They told me your ship had arrived, sir; but I could not count could I? on your coming to inspect the house so soon." "If I've been over hasty, ma'am " "Not at all," she interrupted. "There now! I put things so clumsily at times!
Seeing that Cai hesitated, "The more candid your friend is, between these four walls," added Mr Benny, extracting a hair from his pen, "the more persuasive we are likely to be." "You may set down that she keeps a farm." "Independent means?" "Well, yes, as it happens. Not that " "To be sure to be sure! When the affections are engaged, that doesn't weigh. Not, at any rate, with your friend.
Yet he craved to follow, catch up with him, plead for one more word. He went quickly down the path to the gate, but of 'Bias there was no sign. Poor Cai! He took a step or two down the road, and halted. Since 'Bias was not in sight there would be little chance of overtaking him on this side of the town; and in the street no explanation would be possible.
"I was thinkin' to stretch my legs around Four Turnin's," answered 'Bias, although as a matter of fact the intention had that instant occurred to him. "Well, so long!" Cai nodded and turned towards the town. "Compliments of the season," he added. "Same to you." They walked off in opposite directions.
"With a manageable woman to give her orders What's amiss with ye, Rogers?" Captain Cai put the question in some alarm, for the heaving of the ship-chandler's waistcoat and a strangling noise in his throat together suggested a sudden gastric disturbance. But it appeared they were but symptoms of mirth.
And I reck'ned as you an' Cap'n Hunken had ne'er a secret you didn't share!" "Bias?" asked Cai slowly. "Who was talkin' of 'Bias?" "It takes 'em that way sometimes," said Mr Philp, wiping a rheumy eye. "An' the longer they puts it off the more you can't never tell which way it will take 'em.
It was shocking. Now, wasn't it?" "It has made me miserable enough," pleaded Cai. "And so it ought. . . . I don't know that I should be forgiving you now," added Mrs Bosenna demurely, "if it didn't happen that I wanted advice." "My advice?" asked Cai incredulous. "It's a business matter. Women, you know, are so helpless where business is concerned."
"Did you, now?" "And I tried to catch you afore you started; but you'd breakfasted early. . . . Well, the long and short is, they're not lost after all!" Cai produced the bundle triumphantly. "Eh! Where did you find 'em?" asked Fancy, while 'Bias took the parcel without a word of thanks, glanced at it carelessly, and set it down on the little round table beside the bed.
Give way, all! . . . There's no need," he assured her, sinking his voice; "I never saw ye look a properer sight. Maybe 'tis the bunch o' ribbon sets 'ee off 'Tis the first time ye've worn colour to my recollection." "Dead black never suited me." "I wouldn' say that. . . . But," added Cai upon a happy thought, "if that's so, you know where to find excuse to leave off wearin' it."
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