not she had been a fool in marrying the
captain instead of David, though she called herself by a much milder word
than that. The romance was already worn away. She wished for her trunk and
her pretty furbelows. Her father's word of reconciliation would doubtless
come in a few days, also the trunks.

After all there was intense satisfaction to Kate in having broken all
bounds and done as she pleased. Of course it would have been a bit more
comfortable if David had not been so absurdly in earnest, and believed in
her so thoroughly. But it was nice to have some one believe in you no
matter what you did, and David would always do that. It began to look
doubtful if the captain would. But David would never marry, she was sure,
and perhaps, by and by, when everything had been forgotten and forgiven,
she might establish a pleasant relationship with him again. It would be
charming to coquet with him. He made love so earnestly, and his great eyes
were so handsome when he looked at one with his whole soul in them. Yes,
she certainly must keep in with him, for it would be good to have a friend
like that when her husband was off at sea with his ship. Now that she was
a married woman she would be free from all such childish trammels as being
guarded at home and never going anywhere alone. She could go to New York,
and she would let David know where she was and he would come up on
business and perhaps take her to the theatre. To be sure, she had heard
David express views against theatre-going, and she knew he was as much of
a church man, almost, as her father, but she was sure she could coax him
to do anything for her, and she had always wanted to go to the theatre.
His scruples might be strong, but she knew his love for her, and thought
it was stronger. She had read in his eyes that it would never fail her.
Yes, she thought, she would begin at once to make a friend of David. She
would write him a letter asking forgiveness, and then she would keep him
under her influence. There was no telling what might happen with her
husband off at sea so much. It was well to be foresighted, besides, it
would be wholesome for the captain to know she had another friend. He
might be less stubborn. What a nuisance that the marriage vows had to be
taken for life! It would be much nicer if they could be put off as easily
as they were put on. Rather hard on some women perhaps, but she could keep
any man as long as she chose, and then--she snapped her pretty