So Ogilvie was an ensign. Eve had noted that too.
"He must be twenty-one, Adam," she whispered, "and he must have had a
birthday. I wish we had known it. I would have had a party for him."
"Is it too late?" I asked.
"I'll see about it," she answered, smiling. Eve likes Ogilvie.
But the motor-boat had stopped not far from the launch. They were near
enough for us to hear pretty well over that quiet water. Ogilvie's crew
tried not to show undue interest.
"Hello, Olivia," said Ogilvie, standing very straight. He looked rather
wistful, I thought.
"Hello," she said, neither turning her head nor lifting her eyes. It was
the essence of indifference. "What are you doing here?"
It was more than indifference. It was as if Ogilvie bored her. My gorge
began to rise, and my color rose a little, I am afraid, and I moved my
chair, so that Eve looked over at me. I felt, I suppose, much as
Captain Fergus did, when he said that Elizabeth was more of a favorite
of his than some others.
Ogilvie seemed to be familiar with that attitude of Olivia's, for he
smiled faintly, and stepped back.
"Nothing much," he said; "just cruising--cursing about the bay. Like
Captain Cook, who went cursing about the Pacific Ocean. That's what you
said in school, Olivia. Remember?"
"If I don't," Olivia flung back petulantly, "it isn't because I haven't
been reminded of it."
Elizabeth raised her head and sent forth a merry peal of laughter.
"Oh, Olivia, did you really? When was it? Oh, that's too good to keep."
Olivia was picking at the deck of the launch. There may have been a
speck of dust there.
"I suppose I did. It was when I was very small, and the teacher asked me
what Captain Cook did, and 'cruise' looked like 'curse' to me. But if
you ever tell, Elizabeth," she flared out, "I'll never forgive you."
Once more Elizabeth's laughter rang out.
"Oh, Olivia! It won't be necessary for me to tell, but I'd almost be
willing to be never forgiven." Then she heard Ogilvie give orders to
start. "Wait, Jack. I can't do my dive over again, but Olivia and I will
show you some aquaplaning. Won't we, Olivia?"