“I don’t want to hear anything about it,” said the captain sternly; “it is disgraceful, and I gave you credit for knowing better.”
The captain walked back to the companion hatch and descended to the cabin, leaving Steve, the doctor, Hamish, and Andrew looking at each other.
“Well, sir,” said the doctor, “you’ve done it this time. Have you any idea what an object you look?”
“No,” said Steve, in a tone of voice which told of his mortification.
“Go to your cabin, then, and look in the glass. I should prescribe a little water, too!”
“Hadn’t I better jump overboard for it, then?” cried Steve bitterly.
“Bah! Rubbish! Don’t talk nonsense!” cried the doctor, catching the lad by the arm.
“Why, what’s the matter?” said the mate, coming up hurriedly.
“Oh, nothing much. We’ve had an accident, and spilt some feathers about the deck, and it has made the captain angry about the way in which it was done. Have them cleared up, man. Come along, Steve lad; and don’t look like that,” he whispered, as he half dragged the lad away.