“This, Mistress Wilberforce,� said I, formally enough, although my heart was beating rapidly, “is yours.�
She waved her hand as if it was of small moment.
“We have discussed that before,� she said, “what of yourself?�
“Last night,� I replied, “I went down to the docks. A ship sails for the East Indies next week. They want a chief mate and if my references serve they will engage me.�
“And have you these references?�
“I thought, madam, that your friends in the city might give them to me when they know.�
“But I have no friends in the city,� she answered promptly.
“These,� said I, pointing to the table, “will buy them for you.�
She stepped over to the table, untied the strings and upon the velvet cloth fell the sparkling gems.
“Would they not buy friends for you as well?� she asked.