He glanced round sharply, saw what I had, and took no more notice, but went on with his washing.
“Better have it while it’s hot,” I said.
He took up the towel and began to rub.
“Look sharp, you must take it,” I cried. “If I stand it down, it will slop over the side.”
“Oh, well, if you won’t,” I cried at last, “I shall eat it myself.”
He threw down the towel, turned, half-snatched the basin away, and held it as if he were going to throw the contents in my face.
His action was so sudden that I flinched.
“Ah, you know you deserve it,” he cried, sourly.
“Yes, shall I eat it?” I replied, recovering myself.
“Bah!” he snarled out, and feeling that I had done all that was necessary, I backed away and went up on deck, from whence I saw my messmate come out of the cabin about ten minutes after, and as the captain signed to him to come near, I slipped down out of curiosity, hurried to the cabin, and found that the basin was emptied to the last drop.