“Do,” said Mrs. Pepper cordially.
“I won’t have my portrait took,” said the captain, with much acerbity.
“Not if I wish it, dear?” inquired Mrs. Pepper tenderly.
“Not if you keep a-wishing it all your life,” replied the captain sourly, making another attempt to get his head from her shoulder.
“Don’t you think they ought to have their portrait taken now?” asked Miss Winthrop, turning to the ex-pilot.
“I don’t see no ’arm in it,” said Pepper thoughtlessly.
“You hear what Mr. Pepper says,” said the lady, turning to the captain again. “Surely if he doesn’t mind, you ought not to.”
“I’ll talk to him by-and-bye,” said the captain, very grimly.
“P’raps it would be better if we kept this affair to ourselves for the present,” said the ex-pilot, taking alarm at his friend’s manner.
“Well, I won’t intrude on you any longer,” said Miss Winthrop. “Oh! Look there! How rude of them!”