the skipper, with
a sinking at his heart, began to feel in the way. Miss Gething, after
going outside to remove her hat and jacket, came in smiling pleasantly,
and conversation became general, the two men using her as a sort of
human telephone through which to transmit scanty ideas.

"Half-past five," said Miss Gething suddenly. "Have you got to catch the
6.30 train, Mr. Glover?"

"Must," said Mr. Glover dismally. "Business, you know," he added
resignedly.

"You'll take a cup of tea before you go?" said Annis.

She was standing before Mr. Glover as she spoke, and the skipper, who
had been feeling more and more in the way, rose and murmured that he
must go. His amazement when Miss Gething twisted her pretty face into
a warning scowl and shook her head at him, was so great that Mr. Glover
turned suddenly to see the cause of it.

"You'll take a cup, too, captain?" said Miss Gething with a polite
smile.

"Thank you," said the skipper, resuming his seat. His ideas were in a
whirl, and he sat silent as the girl deftly set the tea-table and took
her seat before the tray.

"Quite a tea-party," she said brightly. "One piece of sugar, Mr.
Glover?"

"Two," said the gentleman in an injured voice.

She looked inquiringly at the skipper with the sugar-tongs poised.

"I'll leave it to you," said he confusedly. Mr. Glover smiled
contemptuously, and raised his eye-brows a little. Miss Gething dropped
in one piece and handed him the cup.

"Sometimes I take one piece, sometimes two or three," said the skipper,
trying to explain away his foolishness. "I'm not particular."

"You must be of an easy-going nature," said Miss Gething indulgently.

"Don't know his own mind, I should think," said Mr. Glover rudely.

"I know it about other things," said the skipper.

The tone in which this remark was made set Mr. Glover wondering darkly
what the other things were. Neither man was disposed to be talkative,
and tea would have proceeded in sombre silence but for the hostess. At
ten minutes past six Mr. Glover rose and with great unwillingness said
he must go.

"It isn't raining much now," said Miss Gething encouragingly. Mr. Glover
went to the hall, and taking his hat and umbrella, shook hands with her.
Then he came to the door again, and looked at the skipper. "Going my
way?" he inquired with great affability, considering.

"Er--no," said the other.

Mr. Glover put on his hat with a bang, and with a curt nod followed Miss
Ge