"And that's not reassuring," said Noll. "Is it, now?"
"It wouldn't be, if he meant wrong. I don't think he does. Any case, he
knows the 'gris is not his, in the end...." And he added: "You're
concerned over Faith and him--the way they are when they're together.
But there's no need, sir. Faith is loyal...."
Noll looked at the mate, and he frowned. "How are they, when they're
together?"
"I thought you had marked it for yourself.... I meant nothing."
"Nothing? You meant something. You've seen something. What is it you've
seen, Dan'l?"
Dan'l protested. "Why, nothing at all. There's no harm in their being
friends. He's a young man, strong, with wisdom in his head; and she's
young, too. It's natural that young folk should be friendly."
Noll's head sank upon his chest; he said dully: "Aye, and you're
thinking I'm old."
"No, sir," Dan'l cried. "Not that. You're not so old as you think, sir.
Not so old but what you might strike, if there was need. I only meant it
was to be expected that they should be drawn together, like. Faith's
young...."
Noll's eyes were reddening angrily. "Speak out, man," he exclaimed.
"Don't shilly-shally with your tongue. If there's harm afoot, by God, I
can take a hand. What's in your mind?"
"Why, nothing at all. No harm in the world, sir.... I was only meaning
to reassure you. I thought you had seen her eyes when she looked at the
man...."
"Her eyes?"
"Aye."
"What's in her eyes?"
Dan'l frowned uncomfortably. "Why--friendship, if you like. Liking,
perhaps. Nothing more, I'll swear. I know Faith too well...."