the stake for Lady Agatha; and yet so unaccountable
is that vain thing, the human soul (especially at breakfast time), that
he felt angry at her for misunderstanding the
Jasper B. "You aren't going to be horrid about it, are you?" she said.
"Because, you know, I never said I knew anything
about ships." She picked up the little dog and stood it on the table,
making the animal extend its
paws as if pleading. "Help me to beg Mr. Cleggett's pardon," she said,
"he's going to be cross with us about his old
boat." If Lady Agatha had been just an inch taller or just a
few pounds heavier the playful mood itself would have jarred upon the
fastidious Cleggett; indeed, as she was, if she had been just a thought
more playful,
it would have jarred. But Lady Agatha, it has been remarked before,
never went too far in any direction. Even as she smiled and held out the
dog's paws Cleggett was aware of something in her eyes that was
certainly not a tear, but was just as certainly a film of moisture that
might be
a tear in another minute. Then Cleggett cursed himself inwardly
for a brute--it rushed over him how difficult to Lady Agatha her
position on board the Jasper B. must seem. She must regard
herself as practically a pensioner on his bounty. And he had been churl
enough
to show a
spark of temper--and that, too, after she had repeatedly expressed
her gratitude to him. "I am deeply sorry, Lady Agatha,"
he began, blushing painfully, "if----"
"Silly!" She interrupted
him by reaching across the table and laying a forgiving hand upon
his arm. "Don't be so stiff and formal.
Eat your egg before it gets cold and don't say
another work. Of course I know you're not REALLY going to be cross." And
she attacked her brea
