"I hardly think, Parker, the wife can do it all. Now there's Stowel, Bluewater's captain, he is married as well as yourself—nay, by George, I've heard the old fellow say he had as much wife as any man in his majesty's service—but his cabin looks like a cobbler's barn, and his state-room like a soldier's bunk! When we were lieutenants together in the Eurydice, Parker, your state-room had just the same air of comfort about it that this cabin has at this instant. No—no—it's in the grain, man, or it would never show itself, in all times and places."
"You forget, Sir Gervaise, that when I had the honour to be your messmate in the Eurydice, I was a married man."
"I beg your pardon, my old friend; so you were, indeed! Why, that was a confounded long time ago, hey! Parker?"
"It was, truly, sir; but I was poor, and could not afford the extravagances of a single life. I married for the sake of economy, Admiral Oakes."
"And love—" answered Sir Gervaise, laughing. "I'll warrant you, Greenly, that he persuaded Mrs. Parker into that notion, whether true or not. I'll warrant you, he didn't tell her he married for so sneaking a thing as economy! I should like to see your state-room now, Parker."
"Nothing easier, Sir Gervaise," answered the captain, rising and opening the door. "Here it is, air, though little worthy the attention of the owner of Bowldero."
"A notable place, truly!—and with a housewife-look about it that must certainly remind you of Mrs. Parker—unless, indeed, that picture at the foot of your cot puts other notions into your head! What young hussy have you got there, my old Eurydice?—Hey! Parker?"
"That is a picture of my faithful wife, Sir Gervaise; a proper companion, I hope, of my cruise?"
"Hey! What, that young thing your wife, Parker! How the d—l came she to have you?"
"Ah, Sir Gervaise, she is a young thing no longer, but is well turned towards sixty. The picture was taken when she was a bride, and is all the dearer to me, now that I know the original has shared my fortunes so long. I never look at it, without remembering, with gratitude, how much she thinks of me in our cruises, and how often she prays for our success. You are not forgotten, either, sir, in her prayers."