"'Can't you get 'im away?' I ses. 'Who is she, and wot's 'er name?'
"'Her name,' ses the skipper, 'her name is Jane Maria Elizabeth Muffit, and she lives over at Rotherhithe.'
"'She's very likely married already,' I ses.
"'Her 'usband died ten years ago,' ses the skipper; 'passed away in 'is sleep. Overlaid, I should say.'
"He sat there smoking, and I sat there thinking. Twice 'e spoke to me, and I held my 'and up and said 'H'sh.' Then I turned to 'im all of a sudden and pinched his arm so hard he nearly dropped 'is beer.
"'Is Uncle Dick a nervous man?' I ses.
"'Nervous is no name for it,' he ses, staring.
"'Very good, then,' I ses. 'I'll send 'er husband to frighten 'im.'
"The skipper looked at me very strange. 'Yes,' he ses. 'Yes. Yes.'
"'Frighten 'im out of 'is boots, and make him give 'er up,' I ses. 'Or better still, get 'im to run away and go into hiding for a time. That 'ud be best, in case 'e found out.'