Man-woman relationships -- Fiction; Married people -- Fiction; Seafaring life -- Fiction; Whaling -- Fiction
Janie Cox dropped her handkerchief and dove for it desperately, as Faith
and Jem passed where she stood. Janie's swift movement was outrageously
conspicuous in that still room. Faith looked toward her, and saw poor
Janie crimson with embarrassment, and smiled at her comfortingly.
When she looked forward again, she found herself at Noll Wing's side,
and Dr. Brant was already speaking....
When they made their responses, Noll in his heavy voice of a master, and
Faith in the level voice of a proud, sure woman, her eyes met his and
promised him things unutterable. It is this speaking of eyes to eyes
that is marriage; the words are of small account. Faith pledged herself
to Noll Wing when she opened her eyes to him and let him look into the
depths of her. A woman who loves wishes to give. Faith gave all herself
in that gift of her quiet, steady eyes. Cap'n Wing, before them, found
himself abashed. He was glad when the word was said, when the still room
stirred to life. He kissed Faith hurriedly; he was a little afraid of
her. Then the others pressed forward and separated them, and he was glad
enough to be thrust back, to be able to laugh, and jest, and grip the
hands of men.
The women, and some of the men, kissed Faith as she stood there, hanging
on her father's arm. Her eyes flickered now and then toward Noll, her
Noll Wing now. But she could not always be watching him. Too many others
came to speak with her. Dan'l Tobey came; Dan'l with his round
moon-face, and his freckles, and his sandy hair.... Dan'l was only a
little older than herself; a chubby, strong young man.... Little more
than a boy, but a man, too.... Two cruises behind him.... He was going
out as second mate with Cap'n Wing, this afternoon. Faith knew Dan'l
loved her. She was pleasantly sorry, and at the same time secretly
glad. No woman is completely sorry that she is beloved. Faith told
herself she must help Dan'l get over it, on this cruise that was to
come. She must.... She decided, while she spoke to him, that she must
find a wife for Dan'l. What married woman is not a matchmaker? Faith had
now been a married woman for seven minutes by the tall clock a-ticking
in the corner....
Dan'l gave way to others; and Bess Holt cried in dismay, "Faith, the
fire was never lighted!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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