"Chops and steak," said Toby.
The Cabin-boy stood behind each of the other chairs in turn, and repeated each time his entire list. Everybody gave a different order, and the boy became so bewildered at last that he wiped his forehead with his pocket-handkerchief, brushed a tear from his eye, and when he had taken the last order dashed out of the door with a kind of sob.
As soon as he was gone, sounds came through the door by which he had left, as if a dreadful row was going on in the next room.
"Frightful temper, that cook," said the Able Seaman, "but the boy certainly does get on his nerves."
In a short time the Cabin-boy came in with four
plates at once, and as he reached Freddie's chair the ship gave a deep lurch downward, and the four plates shot out of his arms across the room, showering the floor with chops, steak, bacon and eggs.
The boy gave a wild cry and burst into tears, and fled through the door. From the next room came the sound of a row more violent than before.
"Never mind," said Mr. Mizzen, "he'll be back."
He came back presently, his eyes very red, and stumbling in and out managed to put down before each one a plate. Every plate contained chops, steak, bacon and eggs.
"Now," said Mr. Mizzen, when the breakfast was over, "we'll go up and hold the election."