'Marmalade don't work,' said Watchett sadly. 'It don't work worth a cent, nor does butter. I'd give five pounds for some green cabbage.'
A brilliant idea struck Ryder.
'Why don't you paint her green, all the inside of the rail and the boats?'
'She'd be a holy show, like a blasted timber-droghing Swede,' said Watchett with great distaste. 'But d'ye think it'd work?'
'You might try,' replied Ryder.
'And now you've got the bulge on me,' sighed Watchett, 'with two 'ands missin' from both watches she'll be as 'ard in the mouth as your Star. You might let me off that bet, Bill.'
'No,' said Ryder, 'a bet's a bet.'
'But fairness is fairness,' urged Watchett. 'There should be a clause in a bet renderin' it void by the act of God or the Queen's enemies.'
'There isn't,' said his cousin. 'And you forget you wouldn't help me about those two hands I wanted.'
'Oh, if you talk like that——'