‘I suppose I never have.’
‘What d’ye think of a ship on fire as a show?’
‘It is a wonderful but a terrible sight,’ said I. ‘I hope no poor creature has perished by the burning of that ship.’
‘No chance of it,’ he exclaimed; ‘the vessel that was hove to close by long ago took every living creature aboard. Fine night, isn’t it?’
‘It is a beautiful night,’ said I.
‘It’s a bit early still,’ said he, making a step to cast his eye upon a clock that stood in one of the skylights. ‘There’s no hurry this time; not like one o’clock in the morning.’
‘If Mrs. Lee were on deck,’ said I, ‘I should be glad to remain here and walk a little. The air is sweet and refreshing, and the headache I have had this evening has gone. It is very warm in the steerage.’
‘It’ll be warmer by-and-by,’ said he. ‘I should be happy to take a turn with you, but I have charge of the deck and strolling wouldn’t be in order. But there’s no law to hinder a man from talking on a fine clear night like this, and with your permission I shall be glad of a short yarn with you, miss.’
‘What do you wish to say?’ said I, feeling uneasy. ‘I hope you do not mean to talk to me about shocks. I do not like the idea of such things, and beg that you will not say a word about them.’
‘It’s not shocks to-night,’ said he, ‘though—but as I see you don’t like the subject I’ll drop it. What I want to talk to you about is that gipsy woman. I’ve been turning over what she said as to your being married and having a husband waiting for you at home, and the like of that. What are your sentiments on what that tar-brush of a woman told you this afternoon?’