For a centrepiece she had
a half shattered clay flower-pot containing a geranium plant which she
had picked up from the deck outside the woman's cabin. It was droopy
and generally woebegone, but it served its purpose. In front of Dan
was a heaping dish of toast artistically browned, and a generous glass
jar of marmalade.
And opposite, smiling at him, talking to him as though they had
breakfasted together for a number of years, was the most radiant girl
he had ever looked upon. The simple costume was wonderfully effective.
The white, full throat and the curves of the neck running to the
shoulders were revealed by the low rolling collar, and the hair coiled
low shone with lustrous sheen.
[Illustration: Opposite, smiling at him, as though they had breakfasted
together for years, was the radiant girl.]
Despite Dan's fears as to the manner in which their tenancy of the
derelict might terminate, he abandoned himself to the sheer charm of it
all. When he finally arose, ending a light, laughing conversation, the
girl regarded him seriously.
"Now, Captain," she said, "I want to ask you something, and you must
tell me truthfully. You have examined this vessel, and you have
doubtless some idea as to what we are to do. Tell me the exact
situation."
Dan looked her straight in the eye a moment, and the girl returned his
gaze unflinchingly.
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