I've been there first." He went up on deck and found a party of quoit-players.

Molly Erle was among them.

Charlie stood and watched, yelling advice and encouragement.
"Looking on as usual ?" the girl said to him presently, with a bitter little smile, as she found herself near him.
He nodded.
"I'm really afraid to speak to you to-day," he said.

"Your skirt will never again bear the light of day." "What happened ?" she said briefly.
The game was over, and they strolled away together across the deck.
"I'll tell you," he said, with ill-suppressed gaiety in his voice.

"We should all have been blown out of the water last night if it hadn't been for me.