"Isn't the cook always supposed to be up early?" the girl questioned,
while her eyes sparkled with merriment.

"S'pose so," and the captain scratched his head in a dubious manner.
"But I wasn't lookin' upon you as a cook, fer I had no idea that ye
understood anything about a kitchen."

"Well, then, you were much mistaken. Just sit down, and try this
egg-on-toast, and this coffee. I have learned a few things, so am not
altogether useless. Cooking is one of my accomplishments, though,
perhaps, I may not suit such an expert as you."

After the captain had washed himself in the granite-iron basin, and
carefully brushed his hair, he sat down at the little side-table. His
breakfast was already before him, but he would not touch it until the
girl was ready for hers. He noted with appreciation that the oil-cloth
on the table was especially clean, and how neatly the few dishes were
arranged.

"Well, this is some breakfast," he complimented. "I never expected to
find this awaitin' me."

"Are you satisfied with your cook now?" the girl smilingly asked.

"Satisfied!" The captain paused in the act of lifting his cup of
coffee to his lips. "Did I ever say I wasn't satisfied?"

"Not exactly, though you acted that way last night."