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For a while they talked of trite and inconsequential things. It

was very necessary that they become firmly grounded on their new

footing of genuine friendship before departing into

personalities; and so, for two days, they avoided any but the

most casual topics.

As the weather was exceptionally warm, with a spicy salt breeze

that seemed to bear the very germ of life in its midst, they had

breakfast and luncheon on deck, dining below in the rosy little

dining-room.

Thirty-six hours before they expected to catch the fishing fleet

(it had been maneuvered so that Code should be restored to the

_Charming Lass_ after dark), Elsa opened the subject of Code's

trouble with Nat Burns. It was morning, and his recent days of

ease and mental refreshment had made him see things clearly that

had before been obscured by the great strain under which he

labored.