"
"How strange we should run up against each other like this," said the
mate sentimentally; "it looks like Providence, doesn't it?"
"Looks like carelessness," said the girl.
"I don't care," replied the mate. "I'm glad I did let that line go
overboard. Best day's work I ever did. I shouldn't have seen you if I
hadn't."
"And I don't suppose you'll ever see me again," said the girl
comfortably, "so I don't see what good you've done yourself."
"I shall run down to Limehouse every time we're in port, anyway," said
the mate; "it'll be odd if I don't see you sometimes. I daresay our
craft'll pass each other sometimes. Perhaps in the night," he added
gloomily.
"I shall sit up all night watching for you," declared Miss Jansell
untruthfully.
In this cheerful fashion the conversation proceeded, the girl, who was
by no means insensible to his bright eager face and well-knit figure,
dividing her time in the ratio of three parts to her book and one to
him. Time passed all too soon for the mate, when they were interrupted
by a series of hoarse unintelligible roars proceeding from the
schooner's cabin.
"That's father," said Miss Jansell, rising with a celerity which spoke
well for the discipline maintained on the Aquila; "he wants me to mend
his waistcoat for him.
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