scrutability. Whereupon rather
unworthy curiosity reawoke in Tom Verity, to satisfy which he was tempted
to descend to methods not entirely loyal.

Damaris, sitting to windward, must be out of earshot assuredly, yet he
lowered his voice as he said:

"By the way, talking of going to sea, can you tell me anything about the
young sailor whom you took across the ferry just before fetching Miss
Verity and me? I am pretty sure I have met him before and yet I can't
place him somehow."

Jennifer shot a sharply enquiring glance at the speaker; for here, at
first sight, appeared rare opportunity of that same coveted and
scandalous fish-frying! Yet he debated the wisdom of immediate indulgence
in that merry pastime, inherent suspicion of class for class, suspicion
too, of this young gentleman's conspicuously easy, good-natured manner,
preaching caution. A show of friendliness supplies fine cover for the
gaining of one's own ends.--Hadn't he, Jennifer, practised the friendly
manoeuvre freely enough himself on occasion? And he did not in the least
relish the chance of walking into a trap, instead of jovially baiting
one. So he dipped the oars again, and answered slowly as though the
question taxed his memory sorely, his face vacant of expression as an
empty plate.

"Brought him across before I started to fetch you and the young lady,
sir, did I? To be sure, there, let me see. I've had several sea-going
chaps of sorts back and forth this morning. Come and go most days, they
do, come and go without my taking any particular account--the Lord
forgive me, for it ain't over civil--unless strangers should hail me, or
someone out of the common such as Miss Verity and yourself. A passing
show, sir, half the time those I carry; no more to me, bless you, than so
many sand-fleas a-hopping on the beach.--Mr. Blackmore--coast-guard
officer he is--I fetched him across early, with one of his men coming
round from the Head. And that poor lippity-lop, Abram Sclanders'
eldest.--Pity he wasn't put away quiet-like at birth!--Terrible drag he
is on Abram and always will be. Anybody with an ounce of gumption might
have seen he'd be a short-wit from the first.--I took him over; but that
'ud the opposite way about, as he wanted to go shrimping back of the Bar
so he said."

Jennifer paused as in earnest thought.

"No, not a soul to merit your attention, to-day, sir, that I can call to
mind. Unless"--with an upward look of returning intelligence--"but