Nor could Dalzell escape noticing the fact that Miss Atterly appeared to enjoy his company hugely.
Then Dan was led on into talking of the life of the Naval officer at sea, and he spoke eloquently.
"A life of bravery and daring," commented Miss Atterly thoughtfully.
"Yet, after all, I would call it rather a lonely life." "Perhaps it will prove so," Dalzell assented.

"Yet it is all the life that I look forward to.

It's all the life that I care about." "Despite the loneliness---or rather, because of it---it will seem all the finer and more beautiful to come home to wife and children," said Miss Atterly after a pause.

"Nearly all Naval officers marry, don't they ?" "I---I believe they do," Dalzell stammered.

"I---I never asked any Naval officers for statistics." "Now, you are becoming droll," cried Miss Atterly, her laughter ringing out.
"I didn't mean to be," Dan protested.