"With Mr. Thompson?"
"Yes, mister."
Henry Harper began to sob, and Alfie and Percy at least didn't blame him. Mr. Thompson was the nearest thing to the wicked ogre in "Jack and the Beanstalk" they had ever seen in their lives.
However, their mother who had the heart of a lion, who was afraid of nothing so long as it was human—and even Mr. Thompson was apparently that—took upon herself to have a little serious discourse with the man of the sea.
"I suppose, Mr. Thompson, this is a decent ship to which you will be taking the poor child?" said she.
It was necessary for Mr. Thompson to roll his eyes fearfully before he could do justice to such a leading question. He was then understood to say in his queer, guttural voice, which seemed to come out of his boots, that the ship was right enough, although a bit hungry at times as all ships were.
"Is the captain of the vessel a gentleman?" demanded Mother at point-blank range.
Mr. Thompson was understood to say that when the Old Man was all right he was all right, but when in drink he was a devil.
"All men are," said Mother, succinctly. "That's the worst of it. But I understand you to say that at ordinary times the captain's a gentleman."
"Yep," said Mr. Thompson, comprehensively.