Even the Golden Dawn? she asked softly, braving his anger again - but
he merely nodded.
Golden Dawn/ he repeated softly. It sounds such an absurdly
presumptuous name, doesn't it? But I really thought of her as that,
when I conceived her. The first million-ton tanker, with every
refinement and safety feature that man has so far tested and proved.
From inert gas scrubbers to independently articulated main tanks, not
one boiler but four, just like one of the old White Star liners - she
was really to be the golden dawn of crude oil transportation.
However, I am no longer Chairman of Christy Marine, and I am no longer
in control of Golden Dawn, neither her design nor her construction. His
voice was hollow, and in the dim light his eyes seemed shrunken into
their cavities like those of a skull. Nor yet am I in control of her
operation. it was all turning out so badly; she did not want to argue
with him, nor make him unhappy. However, she had stirred memories and
regrets within him, and she wished vainly that she had not disturbed him
so. Her instinct warned her she should leave him now.
Goodnight, Doctor Silver/ he nodded noncommittally at her sudden plea of
tiredness.
My nname is Sam! she told him, wishing that she could comfort him in
some way, any way, or Samantha, if you prefer it. I do prefer it, he
said, without smiling. Goodnight, Samantha. She was angry with both
herself and him, angry that the good feeling between them had been
destroyed, so she flashed at him: You really are old-fashioned, aren't
you? and hurried from the bridge.
The following evening she almost did not go up to him, for she was
ashamed of those parting words, for -having pointed up their age
difference so offensively. She knew he was aware of their differences,
without being reminded. She had done herself harm, and she did not want
to face him again.
While she was in the shower of the guest cabin, she heard Tim Graham
come clattering down the stairs on the other side of the thin bulkhead.
She knew that Nicholas had relieved him.
I'm not going up/ she told herself firmly, and took her time drying and
talcumming and brushing out her hair before she clambered naked and
still pink from the hot water into her bunk.
She read for half an hour, a western that Beauty Baker had lent her, and
it required all her concentration to follow the print, for her mind kept
trying to wander. At last she gave an exclamation of self-disgust,
threw back the blankets and began dressing.
His relief and pleasure, when she appeared beside him, were transparent,
and his smile was a princely welcome for her. She was suddenly very
glad she had come, and this night she effortlessly steered past all the
pitfalls.
She asked him to explain how the Lloyd's Open Form contract worked, and
she followed his explanations swiftly.
If they take into consideration the danger and difficulties involved in
the salvage/she mused, you should be able to claim an enormous award.
I'm going to ask for twenty percent of the hull value What is the hull
