“The first time I ever heard of them, upon my honour. Pray enlighten me.”
“Why, you must be convinced, Sir Ralph, if I had not left the navy to attend you all the world over, as the pilot-fish sticks to the shark, I should, by this time, have been an old post-captain, and very likely C.B. into the bargain.”
“You, who remained one quarter of a century a master’s-mate during an active war, should rush up through the grades of lieutenant and commander to be posted during another quarter of profound peace! But, perhaps, you would have depended upon your great family interest. Well, if I make out your commission as my housekeeper, will you do the duties of the office?”
“On course.”
“And wear the uniform?”
“On course, if so be it be such as a man might wear; I bar petticoats and mob-caps, and female thingamies.”
“Will you carry the keys?”
“On course.”
“And see that the rooms and the passages are well swept, and that the maids are up betimes in the morning?”
“Damn them!—on course—certainly.”