Again McPhulach paused meditatively, and the girl noticed, with a feeling of apprehension, that his eyes wandered towards the hole in his sock. But this time it did not monopolise his thoughts.
"Calamity's no said anything tae ye consairning mesel', I suppose?" he asked.
"Certainly not," she replied, rather surprised at the question. "In fact, I've had no opportunity to discuss anything with him."
"Because," continued the engineer, "he's as good as promised me a rise of a poond a month in recogneetion of me sairvices. But I've heard naething aboot it syn."
"I know nothing about that. It's a matter for the Captain to consider when he returns to duty."
"Nae, nae, it isna," protested McPhulach. "The captain's the captain whether he wears skirts or breeks. I'd like ye, in ye'r capacity of skipper of the Hawk, to confairm that promise of an extra poond a month."
"I will undertake that you shall have the extra money so long as I am in command, even if I have to pay it myself," answered the girl.
"Guid enough. Gin ye hae a bit o' paper handy, meybe ye'd no objec' to putting it doon in writing. I'm no dootin' ye'r word, mind ye, but 'twould be mair satisfactory to hae it in black and white, if ye ken me."
He drew a fountain-pen from a pocket beneath his dungarees and the girl found a piece of paper in one of the table drawers. She took the pen from McPhulach, and, hastily scribbling a few lines, handed it to him.
"Will that do?" she asked.