"It isn't so bad that I can't fix it up myself.

Good-night." She joined her aunt and they made their way in silence to the latter's stateroom.

It was not until after the door was safely locked that Mrs.
Spofford delivered herself of the thought that had been in her mind the whole length of the slanting corridor.
"I hope he will not take advantage of his position to--to bully us--to bully you, dearest,--he might, you know.

He has shown himself to be perfectly capable of it.

And we are so defenceless.