"Glad to hear it," said the sloop master, a tall, bony, ill- set-together specimen of a shore and water man; — "there ain't enough now to send an egg-shell along, and I'd like to shew you a good run, Mr. Landholm, since you're goin' along with me. She looks smart, don't she?"
"If she'll only work as well," said Winthrop. "Hild', you haven't got much cargo aboard."
"Only as much as'll keep her steady," answered the skipper. "'Seems to me nobody ain't a wantin' nothin' up our ways. I guess you're the heaviest article on board, Winthrop; — she never carried a lawyer before."
"Are lawyers heavy articles?" said Winnie laughing.
"'Cordin' to what I've heern, I should say they be; ain't they, squire? — considerable, — especially when they get on folks's hands. I hope you're a better sort, Winthrop, — or ain't there much choice in 'em?"
"You shall try me when you get into trouble," said Winthrop.
"Is this Mr. Cowslip's old sloop?" said Winnie.
"She don't look old, does she?" inquired Mr. Hildebrand.
"But I mean, is it the same he used to have? — No, she looks very handsome indeed."
"She's the old one though," said the skipper, "the same old Julia Ann. What's the use o' askin' ladies' ages? — she's just as good as when she was young; and better dressed. I've had the cabin fixed up for you, Mr. Landholm, — I guess it'll be pretty comfortable in there."