"All fit an' well, sir, as I says," Skipper James repeated, relieved, now resuming his conversation with Doctor Luke—"so far as I knows."
"Anybody come across Ships' Run lately?"
"Well, no, sir—nobody but ol' Jack Hulk. Another slice o' pork, Doctor?"
The youngest little Cull tittered, astounded:
"He've had——"
Amanda covered the youngest little Cull's lips just in time with a soft hand.
"Thank you—no," the Doctor protested again. "I'm quite finished. Nothing more—really! Well," he yielded—"if you will——"
"You, too, Billy Topsail?" said Skipper James.
"Nothing more, really!" Billy replied, with a grin. And then: "Well—if you will——"