"February 2d.--This morning Edmond came to me for that which he calls 'an understanding.' His affection distresses me. Oh, it might all be so different if I would but say 'yes.' And what prevents me--the voices I have heard on the reef; or is it because I know--I know?
"February 9th.--I am on the island again and the sun is shining. What I have suffered none shall ever know. I prefer Edmond Czerny's anger to his love. We understand each other now.
"February 21st.--My message to the sea remains unanswered. Will it be forever?
"March 3d.--If Jasper Begg should come to me, how would they receive him? How could he help me? I do not know--and yet my woman's heart says 'Come!'
"April 4th.--There has been a short recurrence of the sleep-time. A ship struck upon the reef, and the crew rowed ashore to the island. I saw them last night in the moonlight, from my windows. They fell one by one at the border of the wood and slept. You could count their bodies in the clear white light. I tried to shut the sight from my eyes, but it followed me to my bed-room!
"May 3d.--I whispered my message to the sea again, but am alone--God knows how much alone!"
I folded up the paper and looked at the others. Peter Bligh's pipe had gone out and lay idle in his hand. Dolly Venn was still curled at my feet. Seth Barker I do not believe had budged an inch the whole time I was reading. The story gripped them like a vice--and who shall wonder at that? For, mark you, it might yet be our story.
"Peter," said I, "you have heard what Mme. Czerny says, and you know now as much as I do. I am waiting for your notion."
He picked up his pipe and began to fill it again.
"Captain," says he, "what notions can I have which wouldn't be in any sane head? This island's a death-trap, and the sooner we're off it the better for our healths. What's happened to the ship, the Lord only knows! At a guess I would say that an accident's overtook her. Why should a man leave his shipmates if it isn't by an accident? Mister Jacob is not the one to go psalm-singing when he knows we're short of victuals and cooped up here like rats in a trap! Not he, as I'm a living man! Then an accident's overtook him; he doesn't come, because he can't come, which, as my old father used to say, was the best of reasons. Putting two and two together, I should speak for sailing away without him, which is plain reason anyway."