"You should be an
authority on Americanism, if I am correct in surmising your
relationship."
"You are correct," she replied with a proud, little tilt of her glossy
head, "though I think that only lately have I come to an understanding
of its significance--and its responsibility. I ask your pardon again for
interrupting you. It was not premeditated. It just happened."
She did not wait for either of them to speak, but flashed the two a
swift smile and passed down the promenade.
The music had ceased and the cabins at last were emptying themselves of
life.
"A remarkable young woman," Alan remarked. "I imagine that the spirit of
Captain Miles Standish may be a little proud of this particular
olive-branch. A chip off the old block, you might say. One would almost
suppose he had married Priscilla and this young lady was a definite
though rather indirect result."
He had a curious way of laughing without any more visible manifestation
of humor than spoken words. It was a quality in his voice which one
could not miss, and at times, when ironically amused, it carried a
sting which he did not altogether intend.
In another moment Mary Standish was forgotten, and he was asking the
captain a question which was in his mind.
"The itinerary of this ship is rather confused, is it not?"
"Yes--rather," acknowledged Captain Rifle.
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