“Well, that depends—”
“No, it doesn’t; say Yes, or I’ll claim the ten pounds.”
“Well, yes, if it’s right and proper for me to do it. Now, what d’ye want?”
“Humph! Well then,” said Gildart, “I want you to let your daughter Susan get spliced to Dan Horsey.”
Haco frowned, and said, “Unpossible.”
“Come now, don’t be hard on them, skipper; Dan is a good fellow and a first-rate groom.”
“He’s an Irish blackguard,” said Haco, “and not worth a pinch of his namesake.”
“You’re quite mistaken,” said Gildart, who went on to speak so highly of the groom, that Haco, if not made to change his opinion, was so much impressed as to agree at least to take the whole subject once again into consideration.
“Another thing I wish you to do, skipper, which is to give me a passage in your sloop to Athenbury. You spoke of running round there for repairs soon, and I would rather go by sea than by that snorting railway. Will you do it?”
“With pleasure, lad.”