hing ready. Serves me right for putting things off."

The captain began to murmur something about an urgent letter, but Mrs.
Chinnery, who had opened the cupboard and brought out a work-basket
containing several pairs of the thick woollen socks that formed the
captain's usual wear, was almost too busy to listen. She threaded a
needle, and, drawing a sock over her left hand, set to work on a gaping
wound that most women would have regarded as mortal.

Mr. Truefitt and Mrs. Willett entered from the garden just as the
Captain was explaining for the third time.

"Children are not ill, I hope," said Mr. Truefitt with ill concealed
anxiety.

"No," said the Captain.

Mrs. Willett had seated herself by the side of Mrs. Chinnery, ventured
to pat that lady's busy hand.

"He will soon be back," she murmured.

"He will look after that," said Mr. Truefitt, with a boisterous laugh.
"Won't you, cap'n?"

Miss Willett sat regarding Captain Trimblett with a pensive air. She was
beginning to regard his diffidence and shyness as something abnormal.
Hints of the most helpful nature only seemed to add to his discomfort,
and she began to doubt whether he would ever muster up sufficient
resolution to put an end to a situation that was fast becoming
embarrassing to all concerned.

"Of course," she said, suddenly, "it is only right that you should run
up and see your children first. I hadn't thought of that."

"First?" repeated the captain, his face flooding with colour as he
realized the inward meaning of the remark. "What do you mean by first?"

His voice was so loud that Miss Willett sat up with a start and looked
round nervously.

"Miss Willett means before you sail," said Joan, gently, before that
lady could speak. "How pleased they will be to see you!"

"Aye, aye," said the captain, regaining his composure by an effort.

"What a lot of things he will have to tell them!" murmured the
persevering Miss Willett. "Have you ever seen them?" she inquired,
turning to Mrs. Chinnery.

"No," was the reply.

"How strange!" said Miss Willett, with a reproachful glance at the
captain. "I expect you'll like them very much when you do."

"Sure to," chimed in Mr. Truefitt. "Susanna was always partial to
children."

"I'm sure she is," said Miss Willett, regarding the industrious Mrs.
Chinnery affectionately. "How fortunate!"

She rose as she spoke, and, screwing her face up at Joan with great
significance, asked her whether she woul