"I don't mean the fall. Going up the _barranco_ to the hills shook me worse. I think you know it was my first adventure on horseback. Anyhow, you saw its inglorious close."
"But I rather thought you enjoyed adventures," Olivia replied with a twinkle. "Shortly before you arrived I was at a shop in the _triana_, and you crossed the front of the window."
Kit coloured, for he had seen his reflection in Jefferson's dressing glass; he imagined Olivia knew his shoes pinched and the clothes he wore were not his. Her quiet amusement jarred, but he reflected that clothes were not really important.
"My last adventure was on board a boat not long since," he said. "However, I do know a little about a boat."
"Mr. Musgrave certainly does know," Jefferson remarked. "He went off to meet _Cayman_ in a fresh breeze that scared the fellow I sent."
"Now you ought to be satisfied!" said Olivia.
"I'm not satisfied. I didn't expect Mr. Jefferson to back my statement."
"Then you didn't want to persuade me you can manage a boat?"
"Not at all," said Kit. "I wanted to state that when you stick to things you know, you're not ridiculous. When I met you at the maize field I was ridiculous, because it was pretty obvious I couldn't manage a horse. In fact, I feel I ought to apologise."
"I wonder. You declared you were logical as far as you knew, and when I thought about it I agreed. You imagined the channel wasn't safe and saw I was obstinate. In consequence, you resolved to ride the horse across. On the whole, I think you were nice!"
"Oh, no," said Olivia. "I am trying to persuade Mr. Musgrave he was rather noble. Not long since he rode my horse across a spot he didn't think safe for me."
"Then I reckon his nerve is pretty good!" Jefferson remarked.
Austin laughed, Mrs. Austin said nothing, but looked interested, and the blood came to Kit's skin. He almost thought Olivia shabby. Anyhow, he had had enough. If he stopped, he might look like a fool again, and he declared he must write out some cargo lists. Mrs. Austin told him he might come back, and after a glance at Olivia he turned to Jefferson.
"Thank you for the clothes," he said in rather a loud voice. "I'll send them home to-morrow."
He went off and Mrs. Austin said: "I don't altogether see----"