“I tell you it was not. I looked after everything entrusted to me. Sniggins should have kept a better eye on your baggage.”
“No; he was not to blame. It was your business to look after the smaller articles; for what other reason do I carry you and your daughters about?”
“I’m sure I don’t want to go. You and the girls made me.”
“I made you? I never made you do anything in your life which you did not like. My beloved, you are losing your temper!”
“I tell you I am as cool as a cucumber!” answered the lady, the tone of her voice belying the assertion.
“Don’t fall out about it, papa,” said a younger voice. “You are inclined to be aggravating.”
“My dear, I am as calm as your mamma,” said the major.
“Then why do you come here and accuse me of doing what I didn’t?” cried the lady. “I will not stand such treatment. It is all your fault!”
“It’s your fault, I say! Why was that case left behind?”
“It was not my fault,” exclaimed Mrs Bubsby. “I’ll teach you not to repeat such falsehoods!” There was a slight scream from Eugenia, echoed by Angelica, while some sounds greatly resembling those produced when a person is having his ears boxed, proceeded through the canvas. Directly afterwards the major, with a flushed countenance and a bald head, rushed out at the door, followed by a wig sent as a missile after him. On seeing Captain Rogers reading at the further corner of the cabin, he tried to pick it up, but the vessel giving a gentle roll at the time, sent him flying into the middle of the cabin before he had succeeded in his object. Pulling out his handkerchief in a vain endeavour to conceal his shaven crown, he uttered a groan. Jack tried not to look at him, but believing that he had been hurt, was compelled at length to inquire what was the matter.