“Ay, the best master I ever had,” interrupted the diver.
“That—that I think I may trust you; in short, Baldwin, I’m over head and ears with a young girl, and—and—”
“An’ your love ain’t requited—eh?” said Baldwin interrogatively, while his weatherbeaten face elongated.
“No, not exactly that,” rejoined Edgar, with a laugh. “Aileen loves me almost, I believe, as well as I love her, but her father is dead against us. He scorns me because I am not a man of wealth.”
“What is he?” demanded Baldwin.
“A rich China merchant.”
“He’s more than that,” said Baldwin.
“Indeed!” said Edgar, with a surprised look; “what more is he?”
“He’s a goose!” returned the diver stoutly.
“Don’t be too hard on him, Baldwin. Remember, I hope some day to call him father-in-law. But why do you hold so low an opinion of him?”