"A testimonial? How interesting!" murmured Mrs Bosenna.
"From my late crew, ma'am. As I was sayin', on my way through the town to call on you, ma'am, I was taken on the hop, so to speak, an' made the recipient—"
"What for?" demanded 'Bias. He was breathing hard.
"It don't become me," said Captain Cai, and, speaking under stress of desperation, he found himself of a sudden wondering at his own fluency. "It don't become me to repeat all the—sentiments which, er, emanated."
"Give me some," growled Captain Tobias, and was heard to add, under stertorous breath—"Testimonial? I'd like to ha' seen my lot try it on me!"
"They said," confessed Captain Cai, "as how it was their united wish—" Here he recalled Mr Tregaskis' allusion to possible offspring, and blushed painfully.
"Well?"
"That was the words: as how it was their united wish—adding 'in all weathers.'"
"And, the next news, it's playin' tunes in a ditch," pursued Captain
Tobias.
"I think I can explain," put in Mrs Bosenna sweetly, hastening to close up the little breach which, for some reason or other, had suddenly opened between these two good friends. "Captain Hocken, being cumbered with the box on his way to pay me a visit, hid it in the bushes here for a time, meaning to recover it on his way back to the station."