"Is he spiteful?" she asked.
"No, madam, but he is not always obedient, and I am afraid that he will not behave himself."
"Well, bring him on yourself."
She signed to a man who stood near the rail. He came forward and threw a plank across to the bank. With my harp on my shoulder and Pretty-Heart in my arms I stepped up the plank.
"The monkey! the monkey!" cried the little boy, whom the lady addressed as Arthur.
I went up to him and, while he stroked and petted Pretty-Heart, I watched him. He was strapped to a board.
"Have you a father, my child?" asked the lady.
"Yes, but I am alone just now."
"For long?"
"For two months."