“The lady’s gown will not last three months, and then, señor?”
“Chaw!” cried Greaves, and, pointing with something of passion to the island, he exclaimed—“Ask the lady to put the clock back till the day before yesterday is reached, and then!”
On this being explained a flash of temper lighted up her eyes.
“I shall be in rags,” said she, “before you reach your country.”
“We have needles and thread on board,” said Greaves coolly.
“You are men, and cannot conceive what it is to be a woman embarking on a long voyage, possessed of no more clothes than what she has on.”
“How can we comfort her?” said I.
“Can the señorita sew?” said Greaves.
Certainly she could sew.
“Then,” said Greaves, “if the señorita can sew, let her mind be at rest. I am the owner of a roll of fine duck, which is entirely at her service. There are yards enough to yield her as many dresses as she needs. Will she require stuff for trimming? Let her select a flag of two or three colors. Bunting makes excellent trimming. It is light and brine-proof.”