The
store-room skylight came next. In his present frame of mind, would he
look absently into the store-room too?
"Let me go!" said Natalie.
Launce only answered, "Say yes," and held her as if he would never let
her go again.
At the same moment Miss Lavinia's voice rose shrill from the deck
calling for Natalie. There was but one way of getting free from him. She
said, "I'll think of it." Upon that, he kissed her and let her go.
The door had barely closed on her when the lowering face of Richard
Turlington appeared on a level with the side of the sky-light, looking
down into the store-room at Launce.
"Halloo!" he called out roughly. "What are you doing in the steward's
room?"
Launce took up a box of matches on the dresser. "I'm getting a light,"
he answered readily.
"I allow nobody below, forward of the main cabin, without my leave. The
steward has permitted a breach of discipline on board my vessel. The
steward will leave my service."
"The steward is not to blame."
"I am the judge of that. Not you.
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