“Well, don't think of it,” said the captain, shortly.
Mrs. Kingdom sighed as though to indicate that her feelings were not to be suppressed in that simple fashion.
“The anxiety has been very great,” she said, shaking her head, “but everybody's been very kind. I'm sure all our friends have been most sympathetic. I couldn't go outside the house without somebody stopping me and asking whether there was any news of you. I'd no idea you were so popular; even the milkman——”
“I'd like some tea,” interrupted the captain, roughly; “that is, when you have finished your very interesting information.”
Mrs. Kingdom pursed her lips together to suppress the words she was afraid to utter, and rang the bell.
“Your master would like some tea,” she said, primly, as Bella appeared. “He has had a long journey.” The captain started and eyed her fiercely; Mrs. Kingdom, her good temper quite restored by this little retort, folded her hands in her lap and gazed at him with renewed sympathy.
“We all missed you very much,” said Kate, softly. “But we had no fears once we knew that you were at sea.”
“And I suppose some of the sailors were kind to you?” suggested the unfortunate Mrs. Kingdom. “They are rough fellows, but I suppose some of them have got their hearts in the right place. I daresay they were sorry to see you in such a position.”
The captain's reply was of a nature known to Mrs. Kingdom and her circle as “snapping one's head off.” He drew his chair to the table as Bella brought in the tray and, accepting a cup of tea, began to discuss with his daughter the events which had transpired in his absence.
“There is no news,” interposed Mrs. Kingdom, during an interval. “Mr. Hall's aunt died the other day.”