The Chief Engineer and the Third sat at tea on the S.S. Curlew in the East India Docks. The small and not over-clean steward having placed everything he could think of upon the table, and then added everything the Chief could think of, had assiduously poured out two cups of tea and withdraw by request. The two men ate steadily, conversing between bites, and interrupted occasionally by a hoarse and sepulchral voice, the owner of which, being much exercised by the sight of the food, asked for it, prettily at first, and afterwards in a way which at least compelled attention.
“That’s pretty good for a parrot,” said the Third critically. “Seems to know what he’s saying too. No, don’t give it anything. It’ll stop if you do.”
“There’s no pleasure to me in listening to coarse language,” said the Chief with dignity.
He absently dipped a piece of bread and butter in the Third’s tea, and losing it chased it round and round the bottom of the cup with his finger, the Third regarding the operation with an interest and emotion which he was at first unable to understand.
“You’d better pour yourself out another cup,” he said thoughtfully as he caught the Third’s eye.
“I’m going to,” said the other dryly.
“The man I bought it of,” said the Chief, giving the bird the sop, “said that it was a perfectly respectable parrot and wouldn’t know a bad word if it heard it. I hardly like to give it to my wife now.”
“It’s no good being too particular,” said the Third, regarding the other with an ill-concealed grin, “that’s the worst of all you young married fellows. Seem to think your wife has got to be wrapped up in brown paper. Ten chances to one she’ll be amused.”
The Chief shrugged his shoulders disdainfully. “I bought the bird to be company for her,” he said slowly, “she’ll be very lonesome without me, Rogers.”
“How do you know?” inquired the other.