ON SHORT ALLOWANCE. 167

“That is exactly what I wish,” she replied, and, when
the two were in the saloon, Ben asked:

“Ts there anything in particular which you want to say
to me?”

«Tf you do not know already, why did you ask me to
come below, instead of waiting on deck?”

«J thought we should be less likely to be disturbed
down here.”

«YVes,” she replied, gravely, “and you were also afraid
something might be overheard. I want to know what
trouble you have on your mind. You have shown that it
is a very serious one, by not being willing to speak of it
where either of the officers might hear you.”

“That’s where you are making a mistake, I think,”
Ben replied, doing his best to speak in a jovial tone; but
failing most signally. “Of course there are many things
to trouble a fellow aboard ship, and this is one which I
would very much prefer to keep to myself, more especially
since there is really no reason why any one else should
know it.”

“But you promised I should be informed of everything
that happened, captain,” she said, laying her hand lightly
on his arm as if she knew it was a gesture, trifling in
itself, which he could not resist.

“I suppose I shall have t¢ tell you,” he said, as if
vexed with himself for yielding so readily; “but it really
seems too bad that you should insist on learning things
which may cause annoyance, and cannot be avoided.”

“It is right I should know, since I am the chief mate,”