“Humph!” grunted Petersen, “a little grief does gentlefolks good.”
I fear Petersen did not love gentlefolks, as he called them.
Antonio scowled a little, but as Petersen did not look up, the scowl was wasted.
“Take the tiller, Pandoo, till I run down below.”
He entered the cuddy looking very happy and pleased, though this was only good acting. There was indeed a great fear at his heart that none of them should ever reach Dieppe alive. He entered, rubbing his hands and smiling.
“Well, dearies all, are you enjoying your little selves?”
They were indeed. They were as merry as May bees.
“Oh,” said little Teenie delightedly, “it is so nicee—nicee. Just puts me in mind of our boats far away at sea, or a swing under the apple-trees at home.”
“We’re all happy, sir,” said Maud and Phœbe both.
“Will we soon be in?” said bold young Barclay.