"My godfather!" he howled, springing from the rail, and recovering his wits instantly. "Beg pardon, mum, but you took me aback all standin' as the saying is. Christopher, didn't that match wake me up!"
"I am afraid it is my fault," said Carmela, who could look sympathetic where Iris would want to laugh. "I have just arrived here, and everybody seems to be so full of troubles that I am glad to hear you singing."
"Oh, that's just hummin', mum. If you're fond of music you ought to 'ear Schmidt, Captain Schmidt of the Unser Fritz——"
Carmela struck an attitude.
"Wot, d'ye know 'im?" asked Watts.
"No, it is something—rather important. I must go back to my father. Ah, I ought to explain. I am the Senhora De Sylva, Dom Corria's daughter."
"Are you really, mum,—miss?" exclaimed Watts, highly interested. "'Ow in the world did ye manage to come up from the coast? Accordin' to all accounts——"
"Yes, what were you going to say?" for the man hesitated.
"Well, some of our chaps will 'ave it that we're runnin' close-hauled on a lee shore."
Carmela knit her brows. The Watts idioms were not those of her governess.