It was a quality in his voice which one could not miss, and at times, when ironically amused, it carried a sting which he did not altogether intend.
In another moment Mary Standish was forgotten, and he was asking the captain a question which was in his mind.
"The itinerary of this ship is rather confused, is it not ?" "Yes--rather," acknowledged Captain Rifle.

"Hereafter she will ply directly between Seattle and Nome.

But this time we're doing the Inside Passage to Juneau and Skagway and will make the Aleutian Passage via Cordova and Seward.

A whim of the owners, which they haven't seen fit to explain to me.

Possibly the Canadian junket aboard may have something to do with it.