“Huh! I got a squint at you. Am I mistaken in assuming that you were wearing a dress suit?”
“No, sir.”
“Whadja mean by wasting your savings on a dress suit?” Cappy exploded. “Whadja mean by courting my Florry, eh? Tell me that! Give you an inch and you'll take an ell! Infernal young scoundrel!”
“Well,” said Matt humbly, “I intended to speak to you about Miss Florry. Of course now that I'm going to live ashore—”
“What can a big lubber like you do ashore?” Cappy shrilled.
“Why, I might get a job with some shipping firm—”
“You needn't count on a job ashore with the Blue Star Navigation Company,” Cappy railed. “You needn't think—”
“Have I your permission to call on Miss Florry again?” Matt asked humbly.
“No!” thundered Cappy. “You're as nervy as they make 'em! No, sir! You'll go to sea in the Gualala to-morrow morning—d'ye hear? That's what you'll do!”
But Matt Peasley shook his head.