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."

Answer this series of questions:

1. Who was sailing to Sydney?
2. How long did she have until she was scheduled to go?
3. How did she feel about waiting that long?
4. Did Young give her another option?
5. What was it?
6. When was that leaving?
7. From where?
8. Was it making other stops before heading to Sydney?
9. Where did Joan have to go first?
10. For what?
11. What did she need to purchase?
12. Why?
13. For herself?
14. What type of vessel did she decide to use for traveling?
15. How much time did she need before being ready to leave?
16. Where did men boast about drinking in excess?
17. Who knew this information?
18. What else did he know?
19. Anything else?
20. What was the most important fact though?

Numbered answers:
1. Joan
2. five weeks
3. rueful
4. yes
5. the _Upolu_
6. to-morrow afternoon
7. Tulagi
8. yes
9. Guvutu
10. shopping
11. cloth
12. to make a dress
13. yes
14. whale-boat
15. an hour
16. Guvutu
17. Christian Young
18. news of the new rifles adrift on Ysabel
19. the latest murders on Malaita
20. the _Matambo_ had gone on a reef