But the thought did not anger him.

There was a remarkable element of humor about it for him, viewing himself in the matter, and Mary Standish heard him chuckling as they came out on deck.
Her fingers tightened resentfully upon his arm.

"It isn't funny," she reproved.

"It is tragic to be bored by a man like that." He knew she was politely lying to anticipate the question he might ask, and he wondered what would happen if he embarrassed her by letting her know he had seen her alone with Rossland at midnight.

He looked down at her, and she met his scrutiny unflinchingly.