"I'm fond o' company," says I, "if 'tis genteel."
"Come, now, be candid!" says the skipper. "Is you suited with the company you is offered?"
"'Tis genteel enough for me."
"Aw, you is jus' pokin' fun at me," says the lad. "I don't like it."
"I is not neither!" says I.
"I—I wish I could stay, sir," says Sammy t' the skipper. "Jus', sir—jus' for a little small while. I—I——"
'Twas a plea. Skipper Harry cocked his ear in wonder. It seemed t' me that the lad had a purpose in mind.
"Well?" says the skipper.
The lad begun t' pant with a question, an' then, in a fright, t' lick his lips.
"Well, sir," says he, "I wants t' ask—I—I jus' got the notion t'——"