“Indeed!” said Nic.
“It’s on’y that I can’t help taking a bit to a man as stood by you as he did over yonder in furren abroad. You see, a man like that’s got the making of a good true mate in him.”
“Yes, Solly, of as good a man as ever stepped.”
Two years had passed, when one day Solly watched his opportunity of catching Nic alone in the grounds, and followed him.
“Master Nic!” he whispered hoarsely.
The young man turned round, and Solly “made a face” at him. That is to say, he shut his left eye very slowly and screwed up the whole of his countenance till it was a maze of wrinkles.
“What is it, Solly?”
“Pete’s over yonder, sir, by the combo, and wants to speak to you.”
“Oh, very well, I’ll go,” said Nic, and the old sailor nodded, looked mysterious, slapped his mouth to indicate that it was a secret mission, and hurried away.