CHAPTER XVI--THE GIRL WHO HAD NOT GROWN UP 

News, as usual, Christian Young brought--news of the drinking at Guvutu, where the men boasted that they drank between drinks; news of the new rifles adrift on Ysabel, of the latest murders on Malaita, of Tom Butler's sickness on Santa Ana; and last and most important, news that the _Matambo_ had gone on a reef in the Shortlands and would be laid off one run for repairs. 

"That means five weeks more before you can sail for Sydney," Sheldon said to Joan. 

"And that we are losing precious time," she added ruefully. 

"If you want to go to Sydney, the _Upolu_ sails from Tulagi to-morrow afternoon," Young said. 

"But I thought she was running recruits for the Germans in Samoa," she objected. "At any rate, I could catch her to Samoa, and change at Apia to one of the Weir Line freighters. It's a long way around, but still it would save time." 

"This time the _Upolu_ is going straight to Sydney," Young explained. "She's going to dry-dock, you see; and you can catch her as late as five to-morrow afternoon--at least, so her first officer told me." 

"But I've got to go to Guvutu first." Joan looked at the men with a whimsical expression. "I've some shopping to do. I can't wear these Berande curtains into Sydney. I must buy cloth at Guvutu and make myself a dress during the voyage down. I'll start immediately--in an hour. Lalaperu, you bring 'm one fella Adamu Adam along me. Tell 'm that fella Ornfiri make 'm _kai-kai_ take along whale-boat." She rose to her feet, looking at Sheldon. "And you, please, have the boys carry down the whale- boat--my boat, you know. I'll be off in an hour." 
How did she feel about waiting that long?
"And that we are losing precious time," she added ruefully