I don't care why she was absent.

But I have just heard of what happened at that meeting.

Is it true that--" She hesitated.
"That Emmie's dad is alive and here?
Yes, it's true." "But--but that man last night?
Was he THAT man ?" The captain nodded.
"That's the man," he said briefly.
Miss Dawes shuddered.
"Cap'n Whittaker," she asked earnestly, "are you sure he is really her father?
Absolutely sure ?" "Sure and sartin." "Then she belongs to him, doesn't she?
Legally, I mean ?" "Maybe so." "Are--are you going to give her up to him ?" "No." "Then what I heard was true.

You did say at the meeting that you were going to do your best to keep him from getting her." "Um--hum! What I said amounts to just about that." "Why ?" Captain Cy was surprised and a little disappointed apparently.
"Why ?" he repeated.
"Yes.

Why ?" "Well, for reasons I've got." "Do you mind telling me the reasons ?" "I cal'late you don't want to hear 'em.