“And you, Jill,” continued her father, “do not speak till you’re spoken to.”
Jill looked down at Mr Armstrong to see if he counselled further resistance; but as he was studiously busy with the ham, she capitulated, and said—
“Then I hope no one will speak to me, because I don’t want to talk.”
Mr Ratman made an effort to turn the incident off with a laugh, and addressed his further remarks to his host. But as that gentleman found some difficulty in being cordial, and as the rest of the party continued to enjoy the meal without paying much attention to him, he was on the whole relieved when the performance came to an end.
On his way to the captain’s room, afterwards, he encountered Mr Armstrong.
The two men glared at one another in a hostile manner for a moment, and then the tutor observed casually that it was a cold day.
“It will be hotter before it’s much older,” growled the late owner of a certain black eye.
“I can well believe that,” said the tutor drily.
“Yes, sir, I shall have something to say to you.”
“Delighted, I’m sure, at any time that suits you.”