Bagge took Billy Gribbs aside on the deck and had a talk with him.
'Oh Lord!' said Gribbs, 'eh, what?'
'Straight talk,' replied Silas, 'she said so.'
'Do you mean it?'
'Do I mean it?' returned Silas with unutterable scorn. 'In course I mean it. It will sarve them right as it sarves right.'
Gribbs held on to the rail and laughed till he ached.
'It's the rummest notion I ever 'eard tell on.'
'Not so rummy!'
'Wot!' cried Gribbs, 'not so rummy? Well, it ain't so rummy, I'm jiggered. I'll think of it.'
'Do it, and tell your mate Tidewell.'