CHAPTER 8Not so long ago my life had seemed cast on simple curves. Since my father’s death I had followed the sea, obeying orders on ships which were not my own. It had taken the lustre from my manners and had blunted my speech. Yet there I was in a knightly role, a protector of Captain Murdock’s daughter. There I sat at Captain Murdock’s table, watching the clock move on. There I sat among Captain Murdock’s sea-boots in front of Captain Murdock’s fire, eating Captain Murdock’s food without a qualm, eating, and talking to Captain Murdock’s daughter.
I wonder what made me speak of my life as the night passed by. I remember that I was sorry for her, and that I wished to take her mind off the night and the storm. I made her sit by the fire and threw on an armful of driftwood. I spoke as cour
