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"Thank you," she said softly

He looked at her in mild surprise "Thank me, for what?"

"For your concern" She gave his ar time since anyone worried about me"

He nodded and winked "That's what ship captains are for"

Then he turned to the other officers "Gentle us with her lovely presence until we dock in Auckland"

The introductions were made She was amused by the fact that most of the men were numbered The first officer, the second officer-even a fourth They all shook her hand as if it wereofficer, a short ox-shouldered man with a Slavic accent He stiffly bent over and kissed the tips of her fingers

The first officerbehind a sany bar "Miss Wallace, what's your pleasure?"

"Would it be possible to have a daiquiri? I' sweet"

"Absolutely," the first officer replied "The San Marino may not be a luxurious cruise liner, but we do run the finest cocktail bar in this latitude of the Pacific"

"Be honest," the captain adlected to mention we're probably the only ship in this latitude"

"A ed "Lee, one of your fa lady"

Estelle watched with interest as the redients Every ood, and she had to fight a desire to down it all at once

"Lee," she said, "you're a marvel"

"He is that," said Masters "We were lucky to sign him on"

Estelle took another sip of her drink "You seem to have a number of Orientals in your crew"