Whereupon Dr. Pruden went from the room into the library again. Soon he was summoned to the dining-room, where, contrary to his expectations, he found Mrs. Kilpatrick presiding at the table. Naturally they fell into a conversation about the war, but both restrained their prejudices, and the talk turned out to be so pleasant—though there were critical moments that had to be bridged over with silence—that Dr. Pruden thought he had never seen a more charming or a more gracious hostess.
V
At early dawn the next morning, O'Halloran, piloted by Plato, went into Jack's room, took his captain's coat from the back of the chair where he had placed it, folded it up neatly and tucked it under his waterproof. Jack stirred uneasily and then awoke. Plato and the Irishman looked like huge shadows. Aunt Candace, seated in a rocking-chair before the fireplace, snored as gently as she could under the circumstances.
"What is the matter?" asked Jack. He felt so much better that he wanted to sit up in bed, but found that his shoulder was too sore.
