Dr. Ulswater subsided.
“Ask them if they don't want some coffee. Ask how many are left in the other ship. They can have some too.”
Dr. Ulswater reported that they did; that there were five on the war-ship; that the Commodore was gratified to find madam accepted the necessity amiably.
The crew and all of us hurried under Mrs. Mink's orders. She collected cups and glasses. She called for three kettles of boiling water to the cabin, and closed the door. There were six of us, including Captain Jansen and the Irish girl, Norah.
“Now, Dr. Ulswater, you must help. Listen! You must put them to sleep.”
“A——
“Listen! These two kettles will hold about thirty cups. Don't give them too much. See that they all drink it at the same time. Send a pot to the other ship. When they're all asleep, put them ashore. Now don't tell me you can't, or you haven't anything to do it with, because you must! I won't stand it! The idea of giving up the Violetta to be shot at! How do I know what would happen to it? This pot we'll keep for ourselves, and pour into the blue cups. Hush! Don't talk to me! Ask them to drink a health or something to something or other, so they'll go to sleep together. Give up the Violetta! That silly, conceited thing sitting up there like a barber's pole and asking me that!”
“You want some knock-out drops!” gasped Dr. Ulswater.
“Hush! Laudanum, laughing-gas! You know. Hurry!”
Dr. Ulswater gazed at her with speechless admiration, took the two kettles, and disappeared in the passageway toward his cabin.