Geraldine turned to Thomson.
"Hugh," she protested, "don't you think you're carrying principle almost too far?
It's so fearfully interesting for us when Ralph's at sea, and we wait day by day for news from him, to understand a little what he's doing." "I think you're a horrid nuisance, Major Thomson," Olive grumbled.

"We'd just reached the exciting part." "I am sorry," Thomson said, "but I think, Ralph, you had better do what Captain Granet suggested." The young man shrugged his shoulders, his face was a little sulky.

He took the plan up and tore it into pieces.
"If you weren't my prospective brother-in-law, you know, Thomson," he exclaimed, "I should call your interference damned cheek! After all, you know, you're only a civilian, and you can't be expected to understand these things." Thomson was silent for a moment.

He read in the others' faces their sympathy with the young sailor's complaint.

He moved towards the door.
"I am sorry," he said simply.