“Come on down in the cabin. Some of these stool pigeons might squeal on you,” he said.
“Hey, sailors ain’t allowed in the after quarters,” I protested.
Svenson snarled something out of the corner of his mouth, and then he shook me by the shoulders.
“Do you want this candy or don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.”
“All right then, shut your trap and come on down below.”
I followed him down into the chartroom. He made no show of giving me any box of candy.
“Where is it?” I asked.
Svenson held out a five pound box of candy wrapped in shiny paper and tied with lots of pink ribbon. I grabbed for it. As I did so he snatched it away just out of my reach.
“Oh no, you don’t! Give me a kiss and you can have it.”