Halyard clutched the wheels of his chair and stared at the girl in
grim displeasure.

"Didn't you know enough to be frightened?" he demanded.

"No--not then," she said, coloring faintly; "but when, after a few
moments, I looked up and saw the harbor-master running up and down the
beach, I was horribly frightened."

"Really?" said Halyard, sarcastically; "it was about time." Then,
turning to me, he rasped out: "And that young lady was obliged to row
all the way to Port-of-Waves and call to Lee's quarrymen to take her
boat in."

Completely mystified, I looked from Halyard to the girl, not in the
least comprehending what all this meant.

"That will do," said Halyard, ungraciously, which curt phrase was
apparently the usual dismissal for the nurse.

She rose, and I rose, and she passed me with an inclination, stepping
noiselessly into the house.

"I want beef-tea!" bawled Halyard after her; then he gave me an
unamiable glance.

"I was a well-bred man," he sneered; "I'm a Harvard graduate, too, but
I live as I like, and I do what I like, and I say what I like."

"You certainly are not reticent," I said, disgusted.