"Have you got anything to say to me?" demanded the Captain.
"Yes," said the mate, "I have." He broke into a smile. "But it's something I can't say while you're actin' the man-o'-war captain on your bridge. It doesn't concern the work o' the ship."
"What does it concern?" asked the Captain.
"Me," said the mate. He folded his arms across the binnacle and looked into his father's face confidently. The Captain softened.
"Well, Arthur?" he said.
"That was Minnie on the pier-head," said the mate. The Captain nodded. "I was up at their place last night," the young man continued, "and we had a talk—she and I—and so it came about that we fixed things between us. Mr. Davis is agreeable, so long——-"
"Hey, what's this?" The Captain stared at his son amazedly. "What was it you fixed up with Minnie?"
"Why, to get married," replied the mate, reddening. "I was telling you. Her father's willing, as long as we wait till I get a command before we splice."
"You to marry Minnie!" The mate stiffened at the emphasis on the "you." The Captain was fighting for expression. "Why," he said, "why —why, you'ld 'a' carried away that hawser if I hadn't sung out at ye."
"Father," said the mate. "Mr. Davis'll give me a ship."