"I can't say that I do."
"Perhaps I can make myself—er—clearer."
"Perhaps you can."
"My name is—er—Slush—Peddington Slush."
"Holy cats! what a name!" muttered Browning, while Rattleton grinned despite his sickness.
"I—I'm taking a sea voyage—for—for my health," explained Mr. Slush. "That's why I didn't go over on a—a regular liner. This way I shall be longer at—at sea. See?"
"And you are keeping us at sea by your lingering way in coming to a point," smiled Merry.
"Eh?" said the little man. Then he seemed to comprehend, and he broke into a sudden cackle of laughter, which he shut off with startling suddenness, looking frightened.
"Beg your pardon!" he exclaimed. "Quite—ah—rude of me. I don't do it—often."
"You look as if it wouldn't hurt you to do it oftener," said Merry, frankly. "Laughter never hurt anyone."