“Well, you brought her aboard, Ted, you know you did,” pleaded the unhappy skipper.
The mate did not deny it, but his face was so full of grief and surprise that the other’s heart sank within him.
“All right,” said the mate at last; “have it your own way.”
“Hold your tongue, Ted,” shouted Mrs. Gibbs; “you’re trying to shield him.”
“I tell you Ted brought her aboard, and they had a lover’s quarrel,” said her unhappy spouse. “It’s nothing to do with me at all.”
“And that’s why you told me Ted had got the toothache, and tried to get me off to the chemist’s, I s’pose,” retorted his wife, with virulence. “Do you think I’m a fool? How dare you ask a young woman on this barge? How dare you?”
“I didn’t ask her,” said her husband.
“I s’pose she came without being asked,” sneered his wife, turning her regards to the passenger; “she looks the sort that might. You brazen-faced girl!”
“Here, go easy, Loo,” interrupted the mate, flushing as he saw the girl’s pale face.
“Mind your own business,” said his sister, violently.