But otherwise she left no doubt as to her wishes concerning him. Once
she came into the saloon for breakfast before the rest of the party had
taken their places. Dan was in his accustomed seat at the head of the
table; he arose and wished her good-morning. She replied faintly, and
then she sat toying idly with her rusk, her eyes for the most part
fastened upon Dan, who had resumed his breakfast as though oblivious of
her presence. She seemed trying to make up her mind to speak; but she
failed. When Dan arose, bowed slightly, and left the saloon, she was
still sitting silent with her breakfast untasted.
At Galveston Oddington left for New York by train, but Mr. Howland,
receiving more assuring despatches, decided to remain with the party.
They crammed cotton into the _Tampico's_ holds, and later at Savannah
they put pine-tar and pitch and other naval supplies aboard; thereby
increasing Dan's responsibilities a hundredfold. But business was
business, as Mr. Howland had said; and Dan had but to accept his worries
and keep them from the party, which had fared well at the hands of
friends in the two ports.
The _Tampico_ left Savannah one afternoon about an hour after a trim
Savannah liner had dropped down the river. At dinner that night the
merriment was supreme, for in four days the _Tampico_ would be in New
York, and the Howlands' guests had had about all the excitement and salt
air they wanted.
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