interrupted--" And hastily: "Of course, I'm glad to be of service to
you, and if you'll put up with what I can offer--"

"Thanks," she said. "I hope it's apparent to you that I'm not stopping
of my own volition." And then, as though aware of her discourtesy, she
turned toward him, a smile for the first time illumining the pallor of
her face.

"I'm afraid there's nothing left for me then but to accept your kind
offer."

When they reached the cabin he brought out a wicker chair and put it in
the shade.

"If you'll sit here and try to make yourself comfortable, I'll see what
can be done about breakfast."

She thanked him with a smile, sat submissively and he disappeared
indoors, where she heard him pottering about in the small kitchen. It
was very quiet, very restful there under the trees and an odor of
cooking coffee, eggs, bacon and toast which the breeze wafted in her
direction from the open window reminded her that the hour of breakfast
was approaching. But, alluring as the odor was, she had no appetite.
Her knee and shoulder hurt her much less than they deserved to, much
less than the state of her mind at finding herself suddenly at the
mercy of this young man who had aroused both her choler and her
curiosity. Last night after her guests had gone to bed she had sat
alone for a long while on the porch which overlooked the bay,
unconsciously surveying with her eye the water which separated Thimble
Island from the mainland. But it was a mad impulse that had sent her