I damned him in
my heart; the book, which I was sure he did not read--
the sea, to which I was ready to take oath he was
indifferent--the child, whom I was certain he would as
lieve have tossed overboard--all seemed to me elements
in a theatrical performance; and I made no doubt he was
already nosing after the secrets of his fellow-
passengers. I took no pains to conceal myself, my
scorn for the creature being as strong as my disgust.
But he never looked my way, and it was night before I
learned he had observed me.
I was smoking by the engine-room door, for the air was
a little sharp, when a voice rose close beside me in
the darkness.
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Dodd," it said.
"That you, Bellairs?" I replied.
"A single word, sir. Your presence on this ship has no
connection with our interview?" he asked. "You have no
idea, Mr. Dodd, of returning upon your determination?"
"None," said I; and then, seeing he still lingered, I
was polite enough to add "Good-evening"; at which he
sighed and went away.
The next day he was there again with the chair and the
puma skin; read his book and looked at the sea with the
same constancy; and though there was no child to be
picked up, I observed him to attend repeatedly on a
sick woman.
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