He wondered if he could love the woman she would be when her nature awoke; and he wondered if he could love her just as she was and himself wake her up.

After all, whatever it was, she had come to fill quite a large place in his life, as he had discovered that afternoon while scanning the sea between the squalls.

Then he remembered the accounts of Berande, and the cropper that was coming, and scowled.
He became aware that she was speaking.
"I beg pardon," he said.

"What's that you were saying ?" "You weren't listening to a word--I knew it," she chided.

"I was saying that the condition of the _Flibberty-Gibbet_ was disgraceful, and that to- morrow, when you've told the skipper and not hurt his feelings, I am going to take my men out and give her an overhauling.