“But Dishy might have let us go to the ball last night.”
“Play fair,” I said; “we’ve been out to seven entertainments.”
“Well, what of that? They’ve been to a dozen. It’s all old Dishy’s way of showing his authority. I’m sure we all work hard when we’re on duty, and run risks enough.”
“Go on, you old grumbler. Aren’t we to go up the river shooting on Thursday with Mr Brooke and the doctor?”
“Yes, that’s right enough; but we shall be off again soon on another cruise, and get no more fun for long enough.”
“I say, let’s ask for a run ashore to-day.”
“And get chivvied by the pigtails, same as we did down at that other place.”
“Oh, but perhaps they’ll be more civil here,” I said.
Smith burst out laughing.
“Why, didn’t they pelt you, and shy mud at the skipper?”