His wife, who was as meek as milk, suggested humbly that it would be more interesting if he waited.
'I ain't in this for interest. I'm in it for capital,' said Watchett, grinning gloomily. 'The more like a dead certainty it looks the better I shall be pleased.'
Mrs. Ryder darkened.
'I don't think you're a sportsman,' said she rather curtly.
'I ain't,' retorted Watchett, 'I'm a seaman, and him that'd go to sea for sport would go to hell for pastime. You can tell Bill I'll give him ten per cent. discount for cash now.'
As Mrs. Ryder knew that he never called her husband 'Bill' unless he desired to be more or less offensive, she showed unmistakable signs of temper.
'If I ever get half a chance to make you sorry, I will,' she said.
'Let it go at that,' said Watchett sulkily. 'I got on all right with Bill before you took to going to sea with him.'
'He was too soft with you,' said Bill's wife.
'And a deal softer with you than I'd be,' said Watchett.