“Dangerous business, Howard; first thing, you know, Glendenning will be wanting to throw you overboard.”
“I would like to see him try it,” said the young fellow, clenching his fist.
And young Howard was as good as his word. It was very interesting to an onlooker to see the way the different parties took it. Mrs. Tremain seemed to be partly amused with the boy, and think it all rather good fun. Glendenning scowled somewhat, and tried to be silent; but, finding that made no particular difference, began to make allusions to the extreme youth of young Howard, and seemed to try to provoke him, which laudable intention, to young Howard’s great credit, did not succeed.
One evening I came down the forward narrow staircase, that leads to the long corridor running from the saloon, and met, under the electric light at the foot, Mrs. Tremain, young Howard, and Glendenning. They were evidently about to ascend the stairway; but, seeing me come down, they paused, and I stopped for a moment to have a chat with them, and see how things were going on.
Glendenning said, addressing me, “Don’t you think it’s time for children to be in bed?”
“If you mean me,” I answered, “I am just on my way there.”
Mrs. Tremain and young Howard laughed, and Glendenning after that ignored both Howard and myself.
He said to Mrs. Tremain, “I never noticed you wearing that ring before. It is a very strange ornament.”
“Yes,” answered Mrs. Tremain, turning it round and round. “This is a Mexican charmed ring. There is a secret about it, see if you can find it out.” And with that she pulled off the ring, and handed it to Glendenning.
“You ought to give it to him as a keepsake,” said young Howard, aggressively. “The ring, I notice, is a couple of snakes twisted together.”