Sir Joseph was rather taken aback by being confronted with his own words. But, having been a solicitor, he was equal to the occasion.
“It does to a considerable extent,” said Sir Joseph, “but it does not level them as much as that. It does not annihilate the difference between a First Lord of the Admiralty and a common sailor, though it may very well do so between a common sailor and his Captain, you know.”
“I see,” said Corcoran; “that had not occurred to me.”
“Captain Rackstraw,” said Sir Joseph, “what is your opinion on that point?”
“I entirely agree with your Lordship,” said Ralph, whose love for Josephine overcame all other considerations. “If your Lordship doesn’t want her, I’ll take her with pleasure.”
He said this because, fine fellow as he was, and deeply as he loved Josephine, he considered that it was his duty, as an officer in the Navy, to give Sir Joseph the first choice.
“Then take her, sir, and mind you make her happy.”
And Captain Rackstraw arranged with Josephine that they would go on shore at once and be married at once. Fortunately the clergyman was still waiting for them, although he had become rather impatient at the delay.
During this conversation, Corcoran had a word or two with Buttercup, who took that opportunity of revealing herself to him as one of the maidenly crew of the Hot Cross Bun of twenty years ago. He was greatly touched at the story of her faithful devotion to him, and determined to repay it.
“My Lord,” said he to Sir Joseph, “I shall be quite alone when Josephine marries, and I should like a nice little wife to sew buttons on my shirt and mend my socks.”