“Good morning, Captain Rodway.”
“Morning, Lester. What do you want? Why are you not at sea?” and he bent his keen eyes upon his visitor.
“I'm waiting for the water-boat; but otherwise I'm ready to sail.”
“Well, what is it then?”
“I want to know if it is a fact that you will not employ married men as captains?”
“It is.”
“Will you make no exception in my favour?”
“No.”
“I have been five years in your employ as mate and master of the Harvest Home, and I am about to marry.”
“Do as you please, but the day you marry you leave my service.”