"It's time to get up, father, if you are going to Cape Chatham to-day."
"D—n Cape Chatham," was his irreverent reply when Jim was gone, which sentiment has been often re-echoed by various coasting skippers in later times. "Why, I haven't been to sleep ten minutes,—and a frosty morning, too. I wish it would rain. I am not vindictive, but I do indeed. Can't the young fools go alone, I wonder? No; hang it, I'll make myself agreeable to-day, at all events!"
Chapter XXXIV
HOW THEY ALL WENT HUNTING FOR SEA ANEMONES AT CAPE CHATHAM—AND
HOW THE DOCTOR GOT A TERRIBLE FRIGHT—AND HOW CAPTAIN BLOCKSTROP
SHOWED THAT THERE WAS GOOD REASON FOR IT.
And presently, the Captain, half dressed, working away at his hair with two very stiff brushes, betook himself to Major Buckley's room, whom he found shaving. "I'll wait till you're done," said he; "I don't want you to cut yourself."
And then he resumed: "Buckley, your son wants to marry my daughter."
"Shows his good taste," said the Major. "What do you think of it?"
"I am very much delighted," said the Captain.
"And what does she say to it?"