"Shocked? Oh dear, no. Why should I be? It is really a matter of no
interest to me, I assure you."

"Well, I am very glad to hear you say so. I did not know but you might
have become more interested in Mr. Morris than you would care to own.
I think myself that he is quite a fascinating young gentleman; but I
thought it only just to you that you should know exactly how matters
stood."

"I am sure I am very much obliged to you."

This much of the conversation Miss Earle had thought over in her own
room that morning. "Did it make a difference to her or not?" that was
the question she was asking herself. The information had certainly
affected her opinion of Mr. Morris, and she smiled to herself rather
bitterly as she thought of his claiming to be so exceedingly truthful.
Miss Earle did not, however, go up on deck until the breakfast gong had
rung.

"Good morning," said Morris, as he took his place at the little table.
"I was like the boy on the burning deck this morning, when all but he
had fled. I was very much disappointed that you did not come up, and
have your usual cup of coffee."

"I am sorry to hear that," said Miss Earle; "if I had known I was
disappointing anybody I should have been here."

"Miss Katherine," he said, "you are a humbug. You knew very well that I
would be disappointed if you did not come."