第3页 / 共416页

But with the sally he seemed to have forgotten it and recommenced

pacing the floor, his hands in his pockets and his brows knit.

His mind had gone off again to this other vastly important thing.

She noticed it with a twinge of vexation. She vastly preferred

the personal.

"What was it old Jed Martin said to you this afternoon?" he

asked.

"That if the opinions of old sailors were of any account Nat

Burns could get up a pretty good case against you for the loss of

the _May Schofield_."

"I suppose he meant his own opinion. He's an old sailor now, but

if he lives to be a hundred and fifty he'll never be a good one.

I could beat his vessel if I was on a two-by-four with a

pillow-case for a mains'l. I can't understand why he has turned

against me."

"It isn't only he, it's--"

"I know it!" he burst out passionately. "It's the whole island of

Grande Mignon from Freekirk Head to Southern Cross. Not a man nor

woman but has turned against me since that awful day.