"Why d'you call me Miss?" asked Ruth calmly.
Ernie laughed lamely.
"Did I?" he said. "I don't know." He found relief in bustle. "I was just a-goin to shift some o them trunks."
"Thank you kindly," answered Ruth. "It'd make more room like."
Ernie set to work.
"How's the Captain?" he asked.
"Middlin or'nary," Ruth replied. "He didn't sleep unaccountable well."
"You look a bit tired yourself, Ruth," said Ernie.
"I was up to him time or two in the night," the girl answered. "I shall go off this afternoon. Madame's very kind."
Ernie went out, swallowing his misery as best he could.