Me an Raggett thought o stepping down to the Sailor, said Mr. Boom, after a third application of his friends elbow.
Ill come with you, said Dick.
Well, weve got a little business to talk about, said Boom confidentially; but we shant be long. If you wait here, Dick, well see you when we come back.
All right, said Tarrell.
He watched the two old men down the road, and then, moving his chair back into the room, silently regarded the busy Kate.
Make yourself useful, said she brightly; shake the tablecloth.
Tarrell took it to the door, and having shaken it, folded it with much gravity, and handed it back.
Not so bad for a beginner, said Kate, taking it and putting it in a drawer. She took some needlework from another drawer, and, sitting down, began busily stitching.
Wedding-dress? inquired Tarrell, with an assumption of great ease.
No, tablecloth! said the girl, with a laugh.
Youll want to know a little more before you get married.
Plenty o time for me, said Tarrell; Im in no hurry.
The girl put her work down and looked up at him.
Thats right, she said staidly. I suppose you were rather surprised to hear I was going to get married?
A little, said Tarrell; theres been so many after old Raggett, I didnt think hed ever be caught.
Oh! said Kate.
I daresay hell make a very good husband, said Tarrell patronisingly. I think youll make a nice couple. Hes got a nice home.
Thats why Im going to marry him, said Kate. Do you think its wrong to marry a man for that?
Thats your business, said Tarrell coldly. Speaking for myself, and not wishing to hurt your feelings, I shouldnt like to marry a girl like that.
You mean you wouldnt like to marry me? said Kate softly.
She leaned forward as she spoke, until her breath fanned his face.
Thats what I do mean, said Tarrell, with a suspicion of doggedness in his voice.
Not even if I asked you on my bended knees? said Kate. Arent you glad youre cured?
Yes, said Tarrell manfully.
So am I, said the girl; and now that you are happy, just go down to the Jolly Sailor, and make poor old Raggett happy too.
How? asked Tarrell.
Tell him that I have only been having a joke with him, said Kate, surveying him with a steady smile. Tell him that I overheard him and father talking one night, and that I resolved to give them both a lesson. And tell them that I didnt think anybody could have been so stupid as they have been to believe in it.
She leaned back in her chair, and, regarding the dumbfounded Tarrell with a smile of wicked triumph, waited for him to speak. Raggett, indeed! she said disdainfully.
I suppose, said Tarrell at length, speaking very slowly, my being stupid was no surprise to you?
Not a bit, said the girl cheerfully.
Ill ask you to tell Raggett yourself, said Tarrell, rising and moving towards the door. I shant see him. Good-night.
Good-night, said she. Where are you going, then?
There was no reply.
Where are you going? she repeated. Then a suspicion of his purpose flashed across her. Youre not foolish enough to be going away? she cried in dismay.
Why not? said Tarrell slowly.
Because, said Kate, looking downoh, becausewell, its ridiculous. Id sooner have you stay here and feel what a stupid youve been making of yourself. I want to remind you of it sometimes.
I dont want reminding, said Tarrell, taking Raggetts chair; I know it now.
A RASH EXPERIMENT
The hands on the wharf had been working all Saturday night and well into the Sunday morning to finish the Foam, and now, at ten oclock, with hatches down and freshly-scrubbed decks, the skipper and mate stood watching the tide as it rose slowly over the smooth Thames mud.
What times she coming? inquired the skipper, turning a lazy eye up at the wharf.
About ha-past ten she said, replied the mate. Its very good o you to turn out and let her have your state-room.
Dont say another word about that, said the skipper impressively. Ive met your wife once or twice, George, an I must say that a nicer spoken woman, an a more well-beaved one, Ive seldom seen.
Same to you, said the mate; your wife I mean.
Any man, continued the skipper, as would lay in a comfortable state-room, George, and leave a lady a-trying to turn and to dress and ondress herself in a poky little locker, ought to be ashamed of himself.
You see, its the luggage they bring, said the mate, slowly refilling his pipe. What they want with it all I cant think. As soon as my old woman makes up her mind to come for a trip, tomorrow being Bank Holiday, an she being in the mind for a outing, what does she do? Goes down Commercial Road and buys a bonnet far beyond her station.
Theyre all like it, said the skipper; mines just as bad. What does that boy want?
The boy approached the edge of the jetty, and, peering down at them, answered for himself.
Whos Captain Bunnett? he demanded shrilly.
Thats me, my lad, said the skipper, looking up.
Ive got a letter for yer, said the boy, holding it out.
The skipper held out his hands and caught it; and, after reading the contents, felt his beard and looked at the mate.
It never rains but it pours, he said figuratively.
Whats up? inquired the other.
Eres my old woman coming now, said the skipper. Sent a note to say shes getting ready as fast as she can, an Im not to sail on any account till she comes.
Thats awkward, said the mate, who felt that he was expected to say something.
It never struck me to tell her your wife was coming, said the skipper. Where were to put em both I dont know. I spose its quite certain your wifell come?
Certain, said the mate.
No chance of er changing er mind? suggested the skipper, looking away from him.
Not now shes got that bonnet, replied the mate. I spose theres no chance of your wife changing hers?
The skipper shook his head. Theres one thing, he said hopefully, theyll be nice company for each other. Theyll have to ave the state-room between em. Its a good job my wife aint as big as yours.
Well be able to play four anded wist sometimes, said the mate, as he followed the skipper below to see what further room could be made.
Crowded, but jolly, said the other.
The two cabs drove up almost at the same moment while they were below, and Mrs. Bunnetts cabman had no sooner staggered on to the jetty with her luggage than Mrs. Fillsons arrived with hers.
The two ladies, who were entire strangers, stood regarding each other curiously as they looked down at the bare deck of the Foam.
George! cried Mrs. Fillson, who was a fine woman, raising her voice almost to a scream in the effort to make herself heard above the winch of a neighbouring steamer.
It was unfortunate perhaps that both officers of the schooner bore the same highly-respectable Christian name.
George! cried Mrs. Bunnett, glancing indignantly at the other lady.
Ge-orge! cried Mrs. Fillson, returning her looks with interest.
Ge-orge! cried Mrs. Fillson, returning her looks with interest.
Hussy, said Mrs. Bunnett under her breath, but not very much under.
George!
There was no response.
George! cried both ladies together.
Still no response, and they made a louder effort
There was yet another George on board, in the forecastle, and, in response to pushes from curious friends below, he came up, and regarded the fair duettists open-mouthed.
What dyer want? he said at length sheepishly.
Will you tell Captain Bunnett that his wife, Mrs. Bunnett, is here? said that lady, a thin little woman with bright black eyes.
Yes, mum, said the seaman, and was hurrying off when Mrs. Fillson called him back.
Will you tell Mr. Fillson that his wife, Mrs. Fillson, is up here? she said politely.
All right, mum, said the other, and went below to communicate the pleasing tidings. Both husbands came up on deck hastily, and a glance served to show them how their wives stood.
How do you do, Capn Bunnett, said Mrs. Fill-son, with a fascinating smile.
Good-morning, marm, said the skipper, trying to avoid his wifes eye; thats my wife, Mrs. Bunnett.
Good-morning, maam, said Mrs. Fillson, adjusting the new bonnet with the tips of her fingers.
Good-morning to you, said Mrs. Bunnett in a cold voice, and patronising. You have come to bring your husband some of his things, I suppose?
Shes coming with us, said the skipper, in a hurry to have it over. Wait half a moment, and Ill help you down.
He got up on to the side and helped them both to the deck, and, with a great attempt at cheery conversation, led the way below, where, in the midst of an impressive silence, he explained that the ladies would have to share the state-room between them.
Thats the only way out of it, said the mate, after waiting in vain for them to say something.
Its a fairish size when you come to look at it, said the skipper, putting his head on one side to see whether the bunk looked larger that way.
Pack three in there at a pinch, said the mate hardily.
Still the ladies said nothing, but there was a storm-signal hoisted in Mrs. Bunnetts cheek, which boded no good to her husband. There was room only for one trunk in the state-room, and by prompt generalship Mrs. Fillson got hers in first. Having seen it safe she went up on deck, for a look round.
George, said Mrs. Bunnett fiercely, as soon as they were alone.
Yes, my dear, said her husband.
Pack that woman off home, said Mrs. Bunnett sharply.
I couldnt do that, said the skipper firmly. Its your own fault; you should have said you was coming.
Oh, I know you didnt want me to come, said Mrs. Bunnett, the roses on her bonnet trembling. The mate can think of a little pleasure for his wife, but I can stay at home and do your mending and keep the house clean. Oh, I know; dont tell me.
Well, its too late to alter it, said her husband. I must get up above now; youd better come too.
Mrs. Bunnett followed him on deck, and, getting as far from the mates wife as possible, watched with a superior air of part ownership the movements of the seamen as they got under way. A favourable westerly breeze was blowing, and the canvas once set she stood by her husband as he pointed out the various objects of interest on the banks of the river.
They were still in the thick of the traffic at dinner-time, so that the skipper was able, to his secret relief, to send the mate below to do the honours of the table. He came up from it pale and scared, and, catching the skippers eye, hunched his shoulders significantly.
No words? inquired the latter anxiously, in a half-whisper.
Not exactly words, replied the mate. What you might call snacks.
I know, said the other with a groan.
If you dont now, said the mate, you will at tea-time. Im not going to sit down there with them alone again. You neednt think it If you was to ask me what Ive been eating I couldnt tell you.
He moved off a bit as his table companions came up on deck, and the master of the Foam deciding to take the bull by the horns, called both of them to him, and pointed out the beauties of the various passing craft. In the midst of his discourse his wife moved off, leaving the unhappy man conversing alone with Mrs. Fillson, her face containing an expression such as is seen in the prints of the very best of martyrs as she watched them.
At tea-time the men sat in misery; Mrs. Bunnett passed Mrs. Fillson her tea without looking at her, an example which Mrs. Fillson followed in handing her the cut bread and butter. When she took the plate back it was empty, and Mrs. Bunnett, convulsed with rage, was picking the slices out of her lap.
Oh, I am sorry, said Mrs. Fillson.
Youre not, maam, said Mrs. Bunnett fiercely. You did it a purpose.
There, there! said both men feebly.
Of course my husbandll sit quite calm and see me insulted, said Mrs. Bunnett, rising angrily from her seat.
And my husbandll sit still drinking tea while Im given the lie, said Mrs. Fillson, bending an indignant look upon the mate.
If you think Im going to share the state-room with that woman, George, youre mistaken, said Mrs. Bunnett in a terrible voice. Id sooner sleep on a doorstep.
And Id sooner sleep on the scraper, said Mrs. Fillson, regarding her foes scanty proportions.
Very well, me an the matell sleep there, said the skipper wearily. You can have the mates bunk and Mrs. Fillson can have the locker. You dont mind, George?
Oh, George dont mind, said Mrs. Bunnett mimickingly; anythingll do for George. If youd got the spirit of a man, you wouldnt let me be insulted like this.
And if youd got the spirit of a man, said Mrs. Fillson, turning on her husband, you wouldnt let them talk to me like this. You never stick up for me.
She flounced up on deck where Mrs. Bunnett, after a vain attempt to finish her tea, shortly followed her. The two men continued their meal for some time in silence.
Well have to ave a quarrel just to oblige them, George, said the skipper at length, as he put down his cup. Nothing elsell satisfy em.
It couldnt be done, said the mate, reaching over and clapping him on the back.
Just pretend, I mean, said the other.
It couldnt be done proper, said the mate; theyd see through it. Weve sailed together five years now, an never ad what I could call a really nasty word.
Well, if you can think o anything, said the skipper, say so. This sort o thing is worrying.
See how we get on at breakfast, said the mate, as he lit his pipe. If thats as bad as this, well have a bit of a row to please em.
Breakfast next morning was, if anything, worse, each lady directly inciting her lord to acts of open hostility. In this they were unsuccessful, but in the course of the morning the husbands arranged matters to their own satisfaction, and at the next meal the storm broke with violence.
I dont wish to complain or hurt anybodys feelings, said the skipper, after a side-wink at the mate, but if you could eat your wittles with a little less noise, George, Id take it as a favour.
Would you? said the mate, as his wife stiffened suddenly in her seat. Oh!
Both belligerents, eyeing each other ferociously, tried hard to think of further insults.