"Well, then, Martha, what's the use of so much talk? I've had a hard day, so am tired an' hungry. Guess Eben is, too."
"Tired! Hungry!" Mrs. Tobin snapped. "You'll be more tired and hungry before I'm through with you, let me tell you that. You might as well own up first as last about that woman you had on board. Who is the miserable hussy, and where is she now?"
A gleam of hope suddenly appeared in the captain's eyes, and he shot a swift glance toward his son.
"We had no miserable hussy on board, Martha," he replied. "That's the
Gospel truth, so if ye don't believe it, ye needn't."
"I'm afraid you're lying, Sam'l. If you didn't have a woman on board, where, then, did this comb come from?"
"Blamed if I know. How d'ye expect me to keep track of sich gear?"
Mrs. Tobin gave a sigh of despair as she turned to her son.
"Is your father telling the truth, Eben?" she asked.
"Yes, ma."
"And you had no bad, miserable hussy on board this boat?"