Powell, the
inexpressive face of Mr. Smith reflected dimly that flash of evanescent
mirth. For Mr. Powell had come now to entertain his captain's wife with
anecdotes from the not very distant past when he was a boy, on board
various ships,--funny things do happen on board ship. Flora was quite
surprised at times to find herself amused. She was even heard to laugh
twice in the course of a month. It was not a loud sound but it was
startling enough at the after-end of the _Ferndale_ where low tones or
silence were the rule. The second time this happened the captain himself
must have been startled somewhere down below; because he emerged from the
depths of his unobtrusive existence and began his tramping on the
opposite side of the poop.
Almost immediately he called his young second officer over to him. This
was not done in displeasure. The glance he fastened on Mr. Powell
conveyed a sort of approving wonder. He engaged him in desultory
conversation as if for the only purpose of keeping a man who could
provoke such a sound, near his person. Mr. Powell felt himself liked.
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