"You're not vexed with me for speaking as I have done?" I asked her.
"Vexed? No, indeed! I love to hear you and see you defending your own
fairy ground! For it IS like a fairy tale, you know--all that YOU
believe!"
"It has practical results, anyway!"--I answered--"You must admit that."
"Yes--I know,--and it's just what I can't understand. We'll have
another talk about it some day. Would you tell Dr. Brayle that I shall
be ready for him in ten minutes?"
I assented, and left her. I made for the deck directly, the air meeting
me with a rush of salty softness as I ran up the saloon stairway. What
a glorious day it was! Sky, sea and mountains were bathed in brilliant
sunshine; the 'Diana' was cutting her path swiftly through waters which
marked her course on either side by a streak of white foam. I mentally
contrasted the loveliness of the scene around me with the stuffy cabin
I had just left, and seeing Dr. Brayle smoking comfortably in a long
reclining chair and reading a paper I went up to him and touched him on
the shoulder.
"Your patient wants you in ten minutes,"--I said.
He rose to his feet at once, courteously offering me a chair, which I
declined, and drew his cigar from his mouth.
"I have two patients on board,"--he answered, smiling--"Which one?"
"The one who is your patient from choice, not necessity,"--I replied,
coolly.
"My dear lady!" His eyes blinked at me with a furtive astonishment--"If
you were not so charming I should say you were--well!--SHALL I say
it?--a trifle opinionated!"