She even went so far as to murmur that they were non-essentials and that my trip after them might be inexpedient.

And as she had followed the trend of my silence, she now followed the trend of my speech, and she knew that I was going aboard, not because of condensed milk and marmalade, but because of her and of her anxiety, which she knew she had failed to hide.
I took off my shoes when I gained the forecastle head, and went noiselessly aft in my stocking feet.

Nor did I call this time from the top of the companion-way.

Cautiously descending, I found the cabin deserted.

The door to his state-room was closed.