His heart almost failed him when he encountered the radiant Jane at breakfast in the morning, but he concealed his feelings by a strong effort; and after the meal was finished, and the passengers had gone on deck, he laid hold of the mate, who was following, and drew him into the cabin.
“You haven’t washed yourself this morning,” he said, eyeing him closely. “How do you s’pose you are going to make an impression if you don’t look smart?”
“Well, I look tidier than you do,” growled the mate.
“Of course you do,” said the wily Evans. “I’m going to give you all the chances I can. Now you go and shave yourself, and here—take it.”
He passed the surprised mate a brilliant red silk tie, embellished with green spots.
“No, no,” said the mate deprecatingly.
“Take it,” repeated Evans; “if anything’ll fetch her it’ll be that tie; and here’s a couple of collars for you; they’re a new shape, quite the rage down Poplar way just now.”
“It’s robbing you,” said the mate, “and it’s no good either. I ain’t got a decent suit of clothes to my back.”
Evans looked up, and their eyes met; then, with a catch in his breath, he turned away, and after some hesitation went to his locker, and bringing out a new suit, bought for the edification of Miss Jones, handed it silently to the mate.
“I can’t take all these things without giving you something for ’em,” said the mate. “Here, wait a bit.”