‘Perhaps I’m over-cautious,’ Griggs said.  ’It does not matter.  You began by saying that you wished you knew me better.  You meant that if you did, you would either tell me something which you don’t tell everybody, or you would come to me for advice about something, or you would ask me to do something for you.  Is that it?’

‘I suppose so.’

’It was not very hard to guess.  I’ll answer the three cases.  If you want to tell me a secret, don’t.  If you want advice without telling everything about the case, it will be worthless.  But if there is anything I can do for you, I’ll do it if I can, and I won’t ask any questions.’

‘That’s kind and sensible,’ Margaret answered.  ’And I should not be in the least afraid to tell you anything.  You would not repeat it.’

’No, certainly not.  But some day, unless we became real friends, you would think that I might, and then you would be very sorry.’

A short pause followed.

‘We are moving,’ Margaret said, glancing at the iron doors again.

‘Yes, we are off.’

There was another pause.  Then Margaret stood upright and turned her face to her companion.  She did not remember that she had ever looked steadily into his eyes since she had known him.

They were grey and rather deeply set under grizzled eyebrows that were growing thick and rough with advancing years, and they met hers quietly.  She knew at once that she could bear their scrutiny for any length of time without blushing or feeling nervous, though there was something in them that was stronger than she.

‘It’s this,’ she said at last, as if she had been talking and had reached a conclusion.  ‘I’m alone, and I’m a little frightened.’

‘You?’ Griggs smiled rather incredulously.

’Yes.  Of course I’m used to travelling without any one and taking care of myself.  Singers and actresses are just like men in that, and it did not occur to me this morning that this trip could be different from any other.’

‘No.  Why should it be so different?  I don’t understand.’

’You said you would do something for me without asking questions.  Will you?’

‘If I can.’

’Keep Mr. Van Torp away from me during the voyage.  I mean, as much as you can without being openly rude.  Have my chair put next to some other woman’s and your own on my other side.  Do you mind doing that?’

Griggs smiled.

‘No,’ he said, ‘I don’t mind.’

’And if I am walking on deck and he joins me, come and walk beside me too.  Will you?  Are you quite sure you don’t mind?’

‘Yes.’  He was still smiling.  ’I’m quite certain that I don’t dislike the idea.’

‘I wish I were sure of being seasick,’ Margaret said thoughtfully.  ‘It’s bad for the voice, but it would be a great resource.’

‘As a resource, I shall try to be a good substitute for it,’ said Griggs.

Margaret realised what she had said and laughed.