“Being as I was passing close in, Miss Rumbolt,” said he, “and coming ashore to see mother”—
To the captain’s discomfort, manifestations of a further attack on the part of Mr. Rumbolt appeared, but were promptly quelled by the daughter.
“Mother?” she repeated encouragingly,
“I thought I’d come on and ask you just to pay a sort o’ flying visit to the Thames.”
“Thank you, I’m comfortable enough where I am,” said the girl.
“I’ve got a couple of monkeys and a bear aboard, which I’m taking to a menagerie in Aberdeen,” continued the captain, “and the thought struck me you might possibly like to see ’em.”
“Well, I don’t know,” said the damsel in a flutter. “Is it a big bear?”
“Have you ever seen an elephant?” inquired Hezekiah cautiously.
“Only in pictures,” replied the girl.
“Well, it’s as big as that, nearly,” said he.