"He seemed to be very bitter when he brought you below. I could not
make him listen to reason. I have been thinking--and perhaps you're the
gentleman who led the singing which made him so angry?"
Mayo shook his head violently in protest at this suspicion.
"I didn't mind," she assured him. "I knew it was only in fun." She
pondered for a few minutes. "Perhaps they wouldn't have teased one of
their city girl friends in that way--but I suppose men must have a good
time when they are away from home. Only--it has made it hard for me!"
There were tears in her eyes.
Mayo's face grew purple as he tried to speak past the restraining spike
and make her understand his sentiments on the subject of that serenade.
"Don't try to talk, sir. I'm so sorry. It is shameful!"
There was silence in the cabin after that for a long time. He looked up
at the swinging lamp, his gaze wandered about the homely cabin. But his
eyes kept returning to her face. He could not use his tongue, and he
tried to tell her by his glances, apologetic little starings, that he
was sorry for her in her grief. She met those glances with manifest
embarrassment.
After an absence which was prolonged to suit his own sour will in the
matter, Captain Candage came stamping stormily down the companionway.
He stood between his captives and glowered, first at one and then at the
other.
"Both of ye blaming me, I reckon, for what couldn't be helped."
"Father, listen to me now, if you have any sense left in you," cried the
girl, with passion. "Take that horrible thing out of that gentleman's
mouth."
"It has come to a pretty pass in this world when an honest man can't
carry on his own private business without having to tie up meddlers so
as to have a little peace." He walked close to Mayo and shook a monitory
finger under the young man's nose. "Now, what did ye come on board here
for, messing into my affairs?"
The indignant captain put forth his best efforts to make suitable
retort, but could only emit a series of "guggles."
"And now on top of it all I am told by my mate, who never gets around to
do anything that ought to be done till it's two days too late, that
you are one of the Mayos! Why wasn't I informed? I might have made
arrangements to show you some favors. I might have hove to and taken a
chance, considering who you was. And now it's too late. Everybody seems
to be ready to impose on me!"