Hitherto, the burly skipper of the _Andromeda_ had made it so clearly understood that none of the ship's company save himself was to enjoy the society of Miss Iris Yorke, that she had exchanged very few words with the one man whose manners and education obviously entitled him to meet her on an equal plane.

Even at meals, he was often absent, for the captain and chief officer of a tramp steamer are not altruists where eating is concerned.

She often visited the bridge, her favorite perch being the shady side of the wheel-house, but talking to the officer of the watch was strictly forbidden.

In everything appertaining to the vessel's navigation the discipline of a man-of-war was observed on board the _Andromeda_.

So Coke's complacency came now quite unexpectedly, but Iris was learning to school her tongue.
"Thank you very much," she said.