But this was just what Link seemed wholly unable to do. He hated the
ship, the officers, everything in life; and the hot July weather
worked upon this hatred until it became a possessing fury.
III.
At dinner-time he very nearly wrecked his chance for good and all.
Shortly before noon a diminutive, mild-looking gentleman, noticeable
for his childlike manner and a pair of large round spectacles, came
alongside the _Egeria_ in a shore-boat. It appeared that he bore a
visitor's ticket for the afternoon function and had arrived thus
early by invitation of one of the Committee to take a good look over
the ship before the proceedings began. Apparently, too, the
Committee-man had sent Commander Headworthy no warning--to judge from
that officer's wrathful face and the curt tone in which he invited
his visitor to luncheon.
The mild-looking gentleman--who gave his name as Harris--declined
courteously, averring that he had brought a sandwich with him.
The Commander thereupon turned him over to the Second Officer under
whose somewhat impatient escort Mr. Harris made a thorough tour of
the ship, peering into everything and asking a number of questions.
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