“In other words,” interrupted Jeff, with a laugh, “your brother thinks—”
“If you think, sir,” interrupted the captain in his turn, “that King Richard cannot explain matters in his own words, you had better say so at once, and I will abdicate in your favour.”
“Go on, sire—I submit,” said Jeff.
“Well then, Molly, I was about to say, when my secretary interrupted me, that he and I have at last come to an agreement. After much explanation, I have got him to understand that a king cannot possibly manage all his own affairs with his own hands, and that I am forced to have a secretary, who can at least do the ‘three R’s’ pretty well. You see, although my edication has not been neglected, it still remains a fact that I can’t read without specs, that in cipherin’ I am slow—slow, though sure—and that in the matter of penmanship I am neither swift nor legible. Therefore, seein’ that in such things I don’t differ much from other kings and great men, Jeff has generously consented to refuse the lucrative sitooation under Goverment, with nothin’ partik’lar to do, which has been offered to him, and to accept the secretary of state-ship, now at the disposal of King Richard, who will give him at least as good a salary as Government, and at the same time keep his nose closer to the grindstone.”
“Oh! Jeff,” said Rosebud at this point, shaking her finger at her husband, “I knew there was something in the wind!”
“My child,” remarked the captain, “there is always something in the wind. According to the best authorities, you may count on findin’ oxygen, nitrogen, and carbonic-acid gases in it—not to mention foreign substances at times, such as dust leaves, bits of old newspaper and the like, except at sea, where it is always pure and good.”
“But with plenty of salt in it,” interposed Miss Millet, “though not enough to cure you of bad habits, brother. Come now, tell us really what you mean.”
“Well, sister, what I really mean is this: that the fortune which has been sent to me is far too big for one pair of hands and one brain to manage: so my son-in-law has agreed to help me—and the labourer, you know, is worthy of his hire! Surely I don’t need to explain the meaning of that text to you! Since we last conversed in this room on the disposal of my surplus funds, Jeff and I have had many a long talk and walk together. Moreover, I have kept the young secretary’s nose so tight to the grindstone for some months past that he has produced results which will, I think, interest—it may be even surprise—you.”
“Before going further,” continued the captain, pushing in his cup, “let’s have some more o’ that brew to wet my whistle. Well, you will be pleased to hear that I have changed my mind about the carriage and four, and the mansion in Belgravia, and the castle at Folkestone, and the steam-yacht—given ’em all up, and decided to come here an’ live quietly beside you, sister.”
“Are you in earnest brother?” asked Miss Millet, with sparkling eyes.