Noon
It seemed wonderful that she should be interested in his fortunes . He was a lonely man ; beneath his open friendliness lay a deep reserve . A curiously warm feeling of gratitude flamed through him now , and he silently blessed her for bearing him company in the deciding hour of his life . Noon came , and still the two crouched in their half-shelter , drenched , chilled , stiff with exposure , watching Kyak Bay lash itself into a boiling smother . The light grew dim , night was settling ; the air seemed full of screaming furies . Then O'Neil noticed bits of driftwood racing in upon the billows , and he rose with a loud cry . `` It 's breaking up ! ''