"No," said I sadly, "she is not my little girl."
"Where is she?" vaguely.
"Regarding the whereabouts of either Anopheles or Helena, at this
moment," said I still sadly, "I am indeed all at sea, as any good
pirate should be."
I tried to jest, but fared ill at it. I felt my face flush at hearing
her name spoken aloud. And sadly true was it that, on that afternoon
and many another, I had found myself, time and again, adream with
Helena's face before me. I saw it now--a face I had not seen these
three years, since the time when first I had come hither with the
purpose of forgetting.
Jimmy was back in his part again, and doing nobly. "Ha!" said he. "So,
fellow, pondering on a fair one, didst not hear the approach of our
good ship, the Sea Rover?"
"In good sooth, I did not," I answered; "and as for these other
matters, I swear on my blade's point I have spoken the truth."
Our conversation languished for the moment. Illusion lay in the
balance. The old melancholy impended above me ominously.