"Mr Philp!"
Mr Philp withdrew his gaze, turned about and nodded without embarrassment.
"Good evenin', Cap'n. Friend arrived?"
"Funny way to behave, isn't it?" asked Captain Cai with sternness.
"Pokin' an' pryin' in at somebody else's windows—what makes ye do it?"
"I was curious to know what might be goin' on inside."
There was a finality about this which held Captain Cai gravelled for a moment. It hardly seemed to admit of a reply. At length he said—
"Well, you've frightened a woman into hysterics by it, if that's any consolation."
"There, now! Mrs Bosenna?"
"No, it was not Mrs Bosenna. . . . By the way, that reminds me.
I've changed my mind over that hat."
"Hey?"