And now she couldn't fathom his
thoughts. Neither did she chatter to him. Anthony with a forced
friendly smile as if frozen to his lips seemed only too thankful at not
being made to speak. Mr. Smith sometimes forgot himself while studying
his hand so long that Flora had to recall him to himself by a murmured
"Papa--your lead." Then he apologized by a faint as if inward
ejaculation "Beg your pardon, Captain." Naturally she addressed Anthony
as Roderick and he addressed her as Flora. This was all the acting that
was necessary to judge from the wincing twitch of the old man's mouth at
every uttered "Flora." On hearing the rare "Rodericks" he had sometimes
a scornful grimace as faint and faded and colourless as his whole stiff
personality.
He would be the first to retire. He was not infirm. With him too the
life on board ship seemed to agree; but from a sense of duty, of
affection, or to placate his hidden fury, his daughter always accompanied
him to his state-room "to make him comfortable." She lighted his lamp,
helped him into his dressing-gown or got him a book from a bookcase
fitted in there--but this last rarely, because Mr.
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