“I have much rum,” Dick went on, looking at the old woman steadily, “and I would wed your granddaughter.”
“Wed?” The exclamation escaped her before she could stop it.
Dick went on as though he had not heard her.
“At your boat and by a priest that I shall bring with me, I would wed her.”
“Oh!” Pet said, and smiled knowingly.
“But so far the lass will have none of me,” Dick continued, noting Pet’s amazement, “and so, mistress, I would wish you to persuade her to wed me here secretly.”
“Ay, and if I do?” Pet broke in.
“If you do, you earn enough rum to keep you and your husband in liquor for the rest of your life.”
Dick put his hands on his belt and looked at the old wretch quizzically.
Pet began to laugh. It was a terrible sound, half a wheeze and half a choke.