“Now, Smiley, you and your man go below, please.”
“Below?”
“To the hold. I 'll follow.”
“Pink,” said Dick, “get a lantern.”
They had to wait a minute, while Pink was lighting the lantern. There they stood, without speaking, each watching the other. Finally Pink led the way to the open hatch, and descended the ladder. Dick followed. Beveridge led Annie to the opening. “Wait,” he said; “I 'll go first, and help you down.”
Dick, standing below on the timbers, looked up like a flash. “I wouldn't try to bring her down here if I were you.”
“I'm not talking to you, Smiley.”
“No, but you will be if you bully her much longer. Just try to make her go down that ladder. Try it!”
Beveridge, without heeding, turned to Annie.
When he turned back, Dick, with itching fingers, stood on the deck beside him.