Pew. Commander, here’s her ’ealth!
Kit. Ay, that’s the line: her health! But that old woman there is a good old woman, Pew.
Pew. So she is, Commander. But there’s no woman understands a seaman; now you and me, being both bred to it, we splice by natur’. As for A. G., if argyment can win her, why, she’s yours. If I’d a-had your ’ed for argyment, damme, I’d a-been a Admiral, I would! And if argyment won’t win her, well, see here, you put your trust in David Pew.
Kit. David Pew, I don’t know who are you, David Pew; I never heard of you; I don’t seem able to clearly see you. Mrs. Drake, she’s a smart old woman, Pew, and she says you’ve the devil in your face.
Pew. Ah, and why, says you? Because I up and put her in her place, when she forgot herself to you, Commander.
Kit. Well, Pew, that’s so; you stood by me like a man. Shake hands, Pew; and we’ll make a night of it, or we’ll know why, old boy!
Pew. That’s my way. That’s Pew’s way, that is. That’s Pew’s way all over. Commander, excuse the liberty; but when I was your age, making allowance for a lowlier station and less ’ed for argyment, I was as like you as two peas. I know it by the v’ice. (Sings)—
| “We hadn’t been three days at sea before we saw a sail, So we clapped on every stitch would stand, although it blew a gale, And we walked along full fourteen knots, for the barkie she did know, As well as ever a soul on board, ’twas time for us to go.” |
Chorus, Cap’n!
Pew and Kit (in chorus)—