“Yes?” said the captain. “And now she’ll learn her error. Women aren’t rational beings, not like men are. What would a beautiful woman want more, with Captain Margaret?”
“It’s about done for him,” said Perrin. “He’ll never be the man he was. And as for her. The man she married cheated a lad out of all his money at cards, and then shot him in a duel.”
“I’ve heard of that being done,” said the captain.
“Oh, but he did a worse thing than that,” said Perrin. “He’d a child by his cousin; and when the girl’s mother turned her out of doors, he told her she might apply to the parish.”
“Bah!” said the captain, with disgust. “I’d like to know the name of that duck. He’s a masterpiece.”
“Tom Stukeley, his name is,” said Perrin. “His wife’s Olivia Stukeley. They are stopping in Salcombe here. They are still wandering about on their honeymoon. They were married two or three months back.”
“Ah,” said Cammock, “so that’s why the captain put in here. He’ll be going ashore, I reckon.” He walked to the break of the poop and blew his whistle. “Bosun,” he cried. “Get the dinghy over the side, ’n clean her out.” He walked back to Perrin. “Much better get him away to sea, sir. No good’ll come of it.”
“What makes you think that?” said Perrin.
“He’ll only see her with this Stukeley fellow. It’ll only make him sick. Very likely make her sick, too.”
“I can’t stop him,” said Perrin. “He’ll eat his heart out if he doesn’t go. It’s better for him to go, and get a real sickener, than to stay away and brood. Don’t you think that?”