“First I’ve ’eard of ’em,” said Horace.
“Ah, they’re new-comers. They bought that little second-’and shop what Meyers used to keep at the corner of Fore Street. A snug little business. It only wants a man be’ind it, and it’ll be a little copper-mine.”
“And you’ve chosen yourself to be the man be’ind it? Good luck to you, sir!”
“What with my little bit saved up, and my job on the ‘Alert,’ and the little shop earning profits at ’ome, I shan’t be doing so badly for my old age,” stated Captain Gooster, complacently. “But there’s just one little drawback—I shall ’ave to marry one of them two females, and each time I imagine myself married to one, I finds myself wishing it ’ad been the other. You’ve only to see ’em both, and you’d understand.”
“Well, which of ’em’s got the money?” asked Mr. Dobb. “That ought to settle the question easy enough.”
“That’s just the trouble. I can’t find out for certain which of ’em ’as got the cash. I’ve ’eard rumours that old Goffley left all ’is money to ’is daughter, with instructions to ’er to look after ’er ma. And then I’ve ’eard rumours that ’e’s left everything to ’is wife, with instructions to look after ’er daughter. Far as I can see,” disconsolately ended Captain Gooster, “whichever of them females I marries, I shall always ’ave the other as a burden round my neck.”
“Which of ’em gives all the orders?” inquired Mr. Dobb. “’Oo is the boss of the two?”
“They both bosses,” returned the skipper of the “Alert.” “And they both tries to boss each other, most independent. That’s what makes it so difficult. I’ve tried all ways to find out which is the one I ought to make up to, but I can’t. And that’s where I want your ’elp.”
“I see,” said Horace, softly. “That’s what you’re going to give me a job on the ‘Alert’ for, eh?”
“Well, you get this job settled satisfactory for me, and you won’t ’ave no cause to complain,” promised Captain Gooster. “You be ’elpful to me and you’ll be ’elpful to yourself.”