AT SUNWICH PORT

BY

W. W. JACOBS

Part 2. 

ILLUSTRATIONS

From Drawings by Will Owen

CHAPTER VI

For the first few days after his return Sunwich was full of surprises toJem Hardy. The town itself had changed but little, and the olderinhabitants were for the most part easily recognisable, but time hadwrought wonders among the younger members of the population: small boyshad attained to whiskered manhood, and small girls passing intowell-grown young women had in some cases even changed their names. 

The most astounding and gratifying instance of the wonders effected bytime was that of Miss Nugent. He saw her first at the window, and with aready recognition of the enchantment lent by distance took the firstpossible opportunity of a closer observation. He then realized theenchantment afforded by proximity. The second opportunity led himimpetuously into a draper's shop, where a magnificent shop-walker, afterfirst ceremoniously handing him a high cane chair, passed on his orderfor pins in a deep and thrilling baritone, and retired in good order. 

[Illustration: "The most astounding and gratifying instance of thewonders effected by time was that of Miss Nugent. "]

By the end of a week his observations were completed, and Kate Nugent, securely enthroned in his mind as the incarnation of feminine grace andbeauty, left but little room for other matters. On his second Sunday athome, to his father's great surprise, he attended church, and aftercontemplating Miss Nugent's back hair for an hour and a half came homeand spoke eloquently and nobly on "burying hatchets, " "healing oldsores, " "letting bygones be bygones, " and kindred topics. 

"I never take much notice of sermons myself, " said the captain, misunderstanding. 

"Sermon?" said his son. "I wasn't thinking of the sermon, but I sawCaptain Nugent there, and I remembered the stupid quarrel between you. It's absurd that it should go on indefinitely. "

"Why, what does it matter?" inquired the other, staring. "Why shouldn'tit? Perhaps it's the music that's affected you; some of those oldhymns--"

"It wasn't the sermon and it wasn't the hymns, " said his son, disdainfully; "it's just common sense. It seems to me that the enmitybetween you has lasted long enough. "

"I don't see that it matters, " said the captain; "it doesn't hurt me. Nugent goes his way and I go mine, but if I ever get a chance at the oldman, he'd better look out. He wants a little of the starch taken out ofhim. "

"Mere mannerism, " said his son. 

"He's as proud as Lucifer, and his girl takes after him, " said theinnocent captain. "By the way, she's grown up a very good-looking girl. You take a look at her the next time you see her. "

His son stared at him. 

"She'll get married soon, I should think, " continued the other. "YoungMurchison, the new doctor here, seems to be the favourite. Nugent isbacking him, so they say; I wish him joy of his father-in-law. "

Jem Hardy took his pipe into the garden, and, pacing slowly up and downthe narrow paths, determined, at any costs, to save Dr. Murchison fromsuch a father-in-law and Kate Nugent from any husband except of hischoosing. He took a seat under an old apple tree, and, musing in thetwilight, tried in vain to think of ways and means of making heracquaintance. 

Meantime they passed each other as strangers, and the difficulty ofapproaching her only made the task more alluring. In the second week hereckoned up that he had seen her nine times. It was a satisfactorytotal, but at the same time he could not shut his eyes to the fact thatfive times out of that number he had seen Dr. Murchison as well, andneither of them appeared to have seen him. 

He sat thinking it over in the office one hot afternoon. Mr. AdolphusSwann, his partner, had just returned from lunch, and for about the fifthtime that day was arranging his white hair and short, neatly pointedbeard in a small looking-glass. Over the top of it he glanced at Hardy, who, leaning back in his chair, bit his pen and stared hard at a paperbefore him. 

"Is that the manifest of the North Star?" he inquired. 

"No, " was the reply. 

Mr. Swann put his looking-glass away and watched the other as he crossedover to the window and gazed through the small, dirty panes at thebustling life of the harbour below. For a short time Hardy stood gazingin silence, and then, suddenly crossing the room, took his hat from a pegand went out. 

"Restless, " said the senior partner, wiping his folders with great careand putting them on. "Wonder where he's put that manifest. "

He went over to the other's desk and opened a drawer to search for it. Just inside was a sheet of foolscap, and Mr. Swann with growingastonishment slowly mastered the contents. 

[Illustration: "Mr. Swann with growing astonishment slowly mastered thecontents. "]

"See her as often as possible. "

"Get to know some of her friends. "

"Try and get hold of the old lady. "

"Find out her tastes and ideas. "

"Show my hand before Murchison has it all his own way. "

"It seems to me, " said the bewildered shipbroker, carefully replacing thepaper, "that my young friend is looking out for another partner. Hehasn't lost much time. "

He went back to his seat and resumed his work. It occurred to him thathe ought to let his partner know what he had seen, and when Hardyreturned he had barely seated himself before Mr. Swann with a mysterioussmile crossed over to him, bearing a sheet of foolscap. 

"Try and dress as well as my partner, " read the astonished Hardy. "What's the matter with my clothes? What do you mean?"

Mr. Swann, in place of answering, returned to his desk and, taking upanother sheet of foolscap, began to write again, holding up his hand forsilence as Hardy repeated his question. When he had finished his task hebrought it over and placed it in the other's hand. 

"Take her little brother out for walks. "

Hardy crumpled the paper up and flung it aside. Then, with his facecrimson, he stared wrathfully at the benevolent Swann. 

"It's the safest card in the pack, " said the latter. "You pleaseeverybody; especially the little brother. You should always hold hishand--it looks well for one thing, and if you shut your eyes--"

"I don't want any of your nonsense, " said the maddened Jem. "What do youmean by reading my private papers?"

"I came over to look for the manifest, " said Mr. Swann, "and I read itbefore I could make out what it was. You must admit it's a bit cryptic. I thought it was a new game at first. Getting hold of the old ladysounds like a sort of blind-man's buff. But why not get hold of theyoung one? Why waste time over--"

"Go to the devil, " said the junior partner. 

"Any more suggestions I can give you, you are heartily welcome to, " saidMr. Swann, going back to his seat. "All my vast experience is at yourservice, and the best and sweetest and prettiest girls in Sunwich regardme as a sort of second father. "

"What's a second father?" inquired Jim, looking up--"a grandfather?"

"Go your own way, " said the other; "I wash my hands of you. You're notin earnest, or you'd clutch at any straw. But let me give you one wordof advice. Be careful how you get hold of the old lady; let herunderstand from the commencement that it isn't her. "

Mr. Hardy went on with his work. There was a pile of it in front of himand an accumulation in his drawers. For some time he wrote assiduously, but work was dry after the subject they had been discussing. He lookedover at his partner and, seeing that that gentleman was gravely busy, reopened the matter with a jeer. 

"Old maids always know most about rearing children, " he remarked; "so Isuppose old bachelors, looking down on life from the top shelf, thinkthey know most about marriage. "

"I wash my hands of you, " repeated the senior, placidly. "I am not to betaunted into rendering first aid to the wounded. "

The conscience-stricken junior lost his presence of mind. "Who's tryingto taunt you?" he demanded, hotly. "Why, you'd do more harm than good. "

"Put a bandage round the head instead of the heart, I expect, " assentedthe chuckling Swann. "Top shelf, I think you said; well, I climbed therefor safety. "

"You must have been much run after, " said his partner. 

"I was, " said the other. "I suppose that's why it is I am always sointerested in these affairs. I have helped to marry so many people inthis place, that I'm almost afraid to stir out after dark. "

Hardy's reply was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Edward Silk, a youngman of forlorn aspect, who combined in his person the offices ofmessenger, cleaner, and office-boy to the firm. He brought in someletters, and placing them on Mr. Swann's desk retired. 

"There's another, " said the latter, as the door closed. "His complaintis Amelia Kybird, and he's got it badly. She's big enough to eat him, but I believe that they are engaged. Perseverance has done it in hiscase. He used to go about like a blighted flower--"

"I am rather busy, " his partner reminded him. 

Mr. Swann sighed and resumed his own labours. For some time both menwrote in silence. Then the elder suddenly put his pen down and hit hisdesk a noisy thump with his fist. 

"I've got it, " he said, briskly; "apologize humbly for all your candour, and I will give you a piece of information which shall brighten your dulleyes, raise the corners of your drooping mouth, and renew once more thepink and cream in your youthful cheeks. "

"Look here--" said the overwrought Hardy. 

"Samson Wilks, " interrupted Mr. Swann, "number three, Fullalove Alley, at home Fridays, seven to nine, to the daughter of his late skipper, whoalways visits him on that day. Don't thank me, Hardy, in case you breakdown. She's a very nice girl, and if she had been born twenty yearsearlier, or I had been born twenty years later, or you hadn't been bornat all, there's no saying what might not have happened. "

"When I want you to interfere in my business, " said Hardy, workingsedulously, "I'll let you know. "

"Very good, " replied Swann; "still, remember Thursdays, seven to nine. "

"Thursdays, " said Hardy, incautiously; "why, you said Fridays just now. "

Mr. Swann made no reply. His nose was immersed in the folds of a largehandkerchief, and his eyes watered profusely behind his glasses. It wassome minutes before he had regained his normal composure, and even thenthe sensitive nerves of his partner were offended by an occasionalbelated chuckle. 

Although by dint of casual and cautious inquiries Mr. Hardy found thathis partner's information was correct, he was by no means guilty of anyfeelings of gratitude towards him; and he only glared scornfully whenthat excellent but frivolous man mounted a chair on Friday afternoon, andputting the clock on a couple of hours or so, urged him to be in time. 

The evening, however, found him starting slowly in the direction ofFullalove Alley. His father had gone to sea again, and the house wasvery dull; moreover, he felt a mild curiosity to see the changes wroughtby time in Mr. Wilks. He walked along by the sea, and as the churchclock struck the three-quarters turned into the alley and looked eagerlyround for the old steward. 

The labours of the day were over, and the inhabitants were for the mostpart out of doors taking the air. Shirt-sleeved householders, leaningagainst their door-posts smoking, exchanged ideas across the narrow spacepaved with cobble-stones which separated their small and ancient houses, while the matrons, more gregariously inclined, bunched in little groupsand discussed subjects which in higher circles would have inundated theland with libel actions. Up and down the alley a tiny boy all ready forbed, with the exception of his nightgown, mechanically avoided friendlypalms as he sought anxiously for his mother. 

[Illustration: "Fullalove Alley. "]

The object of Mr. Hardy's search sat at the door of his front room, whichopened on to the alley, smoking an evening pipe, and noting with aninterested eye the doings of his neighbours. He was just preparing todraw himself up in his chair as the intruder passed, when to his utterastonishment that gentleman stopped in front of him, and takingpossession of his hand shook it fervently. 

"How do you do?" he said, smiling. 

Mr. Wilks eyed him stupidly and, releasing his hand, coyly placed it inhis trouser-pocket and breathed hard. 

"I meant to come before, " said Hardy, "but I've been so busy. How areyou?"

Mr. Wilks, still dazed, muttered that he was very well. Then he sat boltupright in his chair and eyed his visitor suspiciously. 

"I've been longing for a chat with you about old times, " said Hardy; "ofall my old friends you seem to have changed the least. You don't look aday older. "

"I'm getting on, " said Mr. Wilks, trying to speak coldly, but observingwith some gratification the effect produced upon his neighbours by theappearance of this well-dressed acquaintance. 

"I wanted to ask your advice, " said the unscrupulous Hardy, speaking inlow tones. "I daresay you know I've just gone into partnership inSunwich, and I'm told there's no man knows more about the business andthe ins and outs of this town than you do. "

Mr. Wilks thawed despite himself. His face glistened and his huge mouthbroke into tremulous smiles. For a moment he hesitated, and thennoticing that a little group near them had suspended their conversationto listen to his he drew his chair back and, in a kind voice, invited thesearcher after wisdom to step inside. 

Hardy thanked him, and, following him in, took a chair behind the door, and with an air of youthful deference bent his ear to catch the pearlswhich fell from the lips of his host. Since he was a babe on hismother's knee sixty years before Mr. Wilks had never had such anattentive and admiring listener. Hardy sat as though glued to his chair, one eye on Mr. Wilks and the other on the clock, and it was not untilthat ancient timepiece struck the hour that the ex-steward suddenlyrealized the awkward state of affairs. 

"Any more 'elp I can give you I shall always be pleased to, " he said, looking at the clock. 

Hardy thanked him at great length, wondering, as he spoke, whether MissNugent was of punctual habits. He leaned back in his chair and, foldinghis arms, gazed thoughtfully at the perturbed Mr. Wilks. 

"You must come round and smoke a pipe with me sometimes, " he said, casually. 

Mr. Wilks flushed with gratified pride. He had a vision of himselfwalking up to the front door of the Hardys, smoking a pipe in awell-appointed room, and telling an incredulous and envious FullaloveAlley about it afterwards. 

"I shall be very pleased, sir, " he said, impressively. 

"Come round on Tuesday, " said his visitor. "I shall be at home then. "

Mr. Wilks thanked him and, spurred on to hospitality, murmured somethingabout a glass of ale, and retired to the back to draw it. He came backwith a jug and a couple of glasses, and draining his own at a draught, hoped that the example would not be lost upon his visitor. That astuteperson, however, after a modest draught, sat still, anchored to thehalf-empty glass. 

"I'm expecting somebody to-night, " said the ex-steward, at last. 

"No doubt you have a lot of visitors, " said the other, admiringly. 

Mr. Wilks did not deny it. He eyed his guest's glass and fidgeted. 

"Miss Nugent is coming, " he said. 

Instead of any signs of disorder and preparations for rapid flight, Mr. Wilks saw that the other was quite composed. He began to entertain apoor idea of Mr. Hardy's memory. 

"She generally comes for a little quiet chat, " he said. 

"Indeed!"

"Just between the two of us, " said the other. 

His visitor said "Indeed, " and, as though some chord of memory had beentouched, sat gazing dreamily at Mr. Wilks's horticultural collection inthe window. Then he changed colour a little as a smart hat and a prettyface crossed the tiny panes. Mr. Wilks changed colour too, and in anawkward fashion rose to receive Miss Nugent. 

"Late as usual, Sam, " said the girl, sinking into a chair. Then shecaught sight of Hardy, who was standing by the door. 

[Illustration: "She caught sight of Hardy. "]

"It's a long time since you and I met, Miss Nugent, " he said, bowing. 

"Mr. Hardy?" said the girl, doubtfully. 

"Yes, miss, " interposed Mr. Wilks, anxious to explain his position. "Hecalled in to see me; quite a surprise to me it was. I 'ardly knowedhim. "

"The last time we three met, " said Hardy, who to his host's discomforthad resumed his chair, "Wilks was thrashing me and you were urging himon. "

Kate Nugent eyed him carefully. It was preposterous that this young manshould take advantage of a boy and girl acquaintance of eleven yearsbefore--and such an acquaintance!--in this manner. Her eyes expressed alittle surprise, not unmixed with hauteur, but Hardy was too pleased tohave them turned in his direction at all to quarrel with theirexpression. 

"You were a bit of a trial in them days, " said Mr. Wilks, shaking hishead. "If I live to be ninety I shall never forget seeing Miss Katecapsized the way she was. The way she----"

"How is your cold?" inquired Miss Nugent, hastily. 

"Better, miss, thankee, " said Mr. Wilks. 

"Miss Nugent has forgotten and forgiven all that long ago, " said Hardy. 

"Quite, " assented the girl, coldly; "one cannot remember all the boys andgirls one knew as a child. "

"Certainly not, " said Hardy. "I find that many have slipped from my ownmemory, but I have a most vivid recollection of you. "

Miss Nugent looked at him again, and an idea, strange and incredible, dawned slowly upon her. Childish impressions are lasting, and Jem Hardyhad remained in her mind as a sort of youthful ogre. He sat before hernow a frank, determined-looking young Englishman, in whose honest eyesadmiration of herself could not be concealed. Indignation and surprisestruggled for supremacy. 

"It's odd, " remarked Mr. Wilks, who had a happy knack at times of sayingthe wrong thing, "it's odd you should 'ave 'appened to come just at thesame time as Miss Kate did. "

"It's my good fortune, " said Hardy, with a slight bow. Then he cocked amalignant eye at the innocent Mr. Wilks, and wondered at what age mendiscarded the useless habit of blushing. Opposite him sat Miss Nugent, calmly observant, the slightest suggestion of disdain in her expression. Framed in the queer, high-backed old chair which had belonged to Mr. Wilks's grandfather, she made a picture at which Jem Hardy continued togaze with respectful ardour. A hopeless sense of self-depreciationpossessed him, but the idea that Murchison should aspire to so muchgoodness and beauty made him almost despair of his sex. His reverie wasbroken by the voice of Mr. Wilks. 

"A quarter to eight?" said that gentleman in-credulously; "it can't be. "

"I thought it was later than that, " said Hardy, simply. 

Mr. Wilks gasped, and with a faint shake of his head at the floorabandoned the thankless task of giving hints to a young man who was tooobtuse to see them; and it was not until some time later that Mr. Hardy, sorely against his inclinations, gave his host a hearty handshake and, with a respectful bow to Miss Nugent, took his departure. 

"Fine young man he's growed, " said Mr. Wilks, deferentially, turning tohis remaining visitor; "greatly improved, I think. "

Miss Nugent looked him over critically before replying. "He seems tohave taken a great fancy to you, " she remarked. 

Mr. Wilks smiled a satisfied smile. "He came to ask my advice aboutbusiness, " he said, softly. "He's 'eard two or three speak o' me asknowing a thing or two, and being young, and just starting, 'e came totalk it over with me. I never see a young man so pleased and ready totake advice as wot he is. "

"He is coming again for more, I suppose?" said Miss Nugent, carelessly. 

Mr. Wilks acquiesced. "And he asked me to go over to his 'ouse to smokea pipe with 'im on Tuesday, " he added, in the casual manner in which menallude to their aristocratic connections. "He's a bit lonely, all byhimself. "

Miss Nugent said, "Indeed, " and then, lapsing into silence, gave littleoccasional side-glances at Mr. Wilks, as though in search of any hiddencharms about him which might hitherto have escaped her. 

At the same time Mr. James Hardy, walking slowly home by the edge of thesea, pondered on further ways and means of ensnaring the affection of theex-steward. 

CHAPTER VII

The anticipations of Mr. Wilks were more than realized on the followingTuesday. From the time a trim maid showed him into the smoking-roomuntil late at night, when he left, a feted and honoured guest, with oneof his host's best cigars between his teeth, nothing that could yield himany comfort was left undone. In the easiest of easy chairs he sat in thegarden beneath the leafy branches of apple trees, and undiluted wisdomand advice flowed from his lips in a stream as he beamed delightedly uponhis entertainer. 

[Illustration: "Undiluted wisdom and advice flowed from his lips. "]

Their talk was mainly of Sunwich and Sunwich people, and it was an easystep from these to Equator Lodge. On that subject most people would havefound the ex-steward somewhat garrulous, but Jem Hardy listened withgreat content, and even brought him back to it when he showed signs ofwandering. Altogether Mr. Wilks spent one of the pleasantest evenings ofhis life, and, returning home in a slight state of mental exhilaration, severely exercised the tongues of Fullalove Alley by a bearing consideredincompatible with his station. 

Jem Hardy paid a return call on the following Friday, and had no cause tocomplain of any lack of warmth in his reception. The ex-steward wasdelighted to see him, and after showing him various curios picked upduring his voyages, took him to the small yard in the rear festooned withscarlet-runner beans, and gave him a chair in full view of theneighbours. 

"I'm the only visitor to-night?" said Hardy, after an hour's patientlistening and waiting. 

Mr. Wilks nodded casually. "Miss Kate came last night, " he said. "Friday is her night, but she came yesterday instead. "

Mr. Hardy said, "Oh, indeed, " and fell straight-way into a dismal reveriefrom which the most spirited efforts of his host only partially arousedhim. 

Without giving way to undue egotism it was pretty clear that Miss Nugenthad changed her plans on his account, and a long vista of pleasant Fridayevenings suddenly vanished. He, too, resolved to vary his visits, and, starting with a basis of two a week, sat trying to solve the mathematicalchances of selecting the same as Kate Nugent; calculations which were notfacilitated by a long-winded account from Mr. Wilks of certaininteresting amours of his youthful prime. 

Before he saw Kate Nugent again, however, another old acquaintance turnedup safe and sound in Sunwich. Captain Nugent walking into the town sawhim first: a tall, well-knit young man in shabby clothing, whose bearingeven in the distance was oddly familiar. As he came closer the captain'smisgivings were confirmed, and in the sunburnt fellow in tattered clotheswho advanced upon him with out-stretched hand he reluctantly recognizedhis son. 

"What have you come home for?" he inquired, ignoring the hand and eyeinghim from head to foot. 

"Change, " said Jack Nugent, laconically, as the smile left his face. 

The captain shrugged his shoulders and stood silent. His son lookedfirst up the road and then down. 

"All well at home?" he inquired. 

"Yes. "

Jack Nugent looked up the road again. 

"Not much change in the town, " he said, at length. 

"No, " said his father. 

"Well, I'm glad to have seen you, " said his son. "Good-bye. "

"Good-bye, " said the captain. 

His son nodded and, turning on his heel, walked back towards the town. Despite his forlorn appearance his step was jaunty and he carried hishead high. The captain watched him until he was hidden by a bend in theroad, and then, ashamed of himself for displaying so much emotion, turnedhis own steps in the direction of home. 

"Well, he didn't whine, " he said, slowly. "He's got a bit of prideleft. "

Meantime the prodigal had reached the town again, and stood ruefullyconsidering his position. 

He looked up the street, and then, the well-known shop of Mr. Kybirdcatching his eye, walked over and inspected the contents of the window. Sheath-knives, belts, tobacco-boxes, and watches were displayedalluringly behind the glass, sheltered from the sun by a row of cheapclothing dangling from short poles over the shop front. All the goodswere marked in plain figures in reduced circumstances, Mr. Kybird givinga soaring imagination play in the first marking, and a good businessfaculty in the second. 

At these valuables Jack Nugent, with a view of obtaining some idea ofprices, gazed for some time. Then passing between two suits of oilskinswhich stood as sentinels in the doorway, he entered the shop and smiledaffably at Miss Kybird, who was in charge. At his entrance she put downa piece of fancy-work, which Mr. Kybird called his sock, and with acasual glance at his clothes regarded him with a prejudiced eye. 

"Beautiful day, " said the customer; "makes one feel quite young again. "

"What do you want?" inquired Miss Kybird. 

[Illustration: "'What do you want?' inquired Miss Kybird. "]

Mr. Nugent turned to a broken cane-chair which stood by the counter, and, after applying severe tests, regardless of the lady's feelings, sat downupon it and gave a sigh of relief. 

"I've walked from London, " he said, in explanation. "I could sit herefor hours. "

"Look here----" began the indignant Miss Kybird. 

"Only people would be sure to couple our names together, " continued Mr. Nugent, mournfully. 

"When a handsome young man and a good-looking girl----"

"Do you want to buy anything or not?" demanded Miss Kybird, with animpatient toss of her head. 

"No, " said Jack, "I want to sell. "

"You've come to the wrong shop, then, " said Miss Kybird; "the warehouseis full of rubbish now. "

The other turned in his chair and looked hard at the window. "So it is, "he assented. "It's a good job I've brought you something decent to putthere. "

He felt in his pockets and, producing a silver-mounted briar-pipe, abattered watch, a knife, and a few other small articles, deposited themwith reverent care upon the counter. 

"No use to us, " declared Miss Kybird, anxious to hit back; "we burn coalhere. "

"These'll burn better than the coal you buy, " said the unmoved customer. 

"Well, we don't want them, " retorted Miss Kybird, raising her voice, "andI don't want any of your impudence. Get up out of our chair. "

Her heightened tones penetrated to the small and untidy room behind theshop. The door opened, and Mr. Kybird in his shirt-sleeves appeared atthe opening. 

"Wot's the row?" he demanded, his little black eyes glancing from one tothe other. 

"Only a lovers' quarrel, " replied Jack. "You go away; we don't wantyou. "

"Look 'ere, we don't want none o' your nonsense, " said the shopkeeper, sharply; "and, wot's more, we won't 'ave it. Who put that rubbish on mycounter?"

He bustled forward, and taking the articles in his hands examined themclosely. 

"Three shillings for the lot--cash, " he remarked. "Done, " said theother. 

"Did I say three?" inquired Mr. Kybird, startled at this readyacceptance. 

"Five you said, " replied Mr. Nugent, "but I'll take three, if you throwin a smile. "

Mr. Kybird, much against his inclinations, threw in a faint grin, andopening a drawer produced three shillings and flung them separately onthe counter. Miss Kybird thawed somewhat, and glancing from thecustomer's clothes to his face saw that he had a pleasant eye and a goodmoustache, together with a general air of recklessness much appreciatedby the sex. 

"Don't spend it on drink, " she remarked, not unkindly. 

"I won't, " said the other, solemnly; "I'm going to buy house property withit. "

"Why, darn my eyes, " said Mr. Kybird, who had been regarding him closely;"darn my old eyes, if it ain't young Nugent. Well, well!"

"That's me, " said young Nugent, cheerfully; "I should have known youanywhere, Kybird: same old face, same old voice, same old shirt-sleeves. "

"'Ere, come now, " objected the shopkeeper, shortening his arm andsquinting along it. 

"I should have known you anywhere, " continued the other, mournfully; "andhere I've thrown up a splendid berth and come all the way from Australiajust for one glimpse of Miss Kybird, and she doesn't know me. When Idie, Kybird, you will find the word 'Calais' engraven upon my heart. "

Mr. Kybird said, "Oh, indeed. " His daughter tossed her head and bade Mr. Nugent take his nonsense to people who might like it. 

"Last time I see you, " said Mr. Kybird, pursing up his lips and gazing atthe counter in an effort of memory; "last time I see you was one fifth o'November when you an' another bright young party was going about in twosuits o' oilskins wot I'd been 'unting for 'igh and low all day long. "

Jack Nugent sighed. "They were happy times, Kybird. "

"Might ha' been for you, " retorted the other, his temper rising a littleat the remembrance of his wrongs. 

"Have you come home for good? inquired Miss Kybird, curiously. Have youseen your father? He passed here a little while ago. "

"I saw him, " said Jack, with a brevity which was not lost upon the astuteMr. Kybird. "I may stay in Sunwich, and I may not--it all depends. "

"You're not going 'ome?" said Mr. Kybird. 

"No. "

The shopkeeper stood considering. He had a small room to let at the topof his house, and he stood divided between the fear of not getting hisrent and the joy to a man fond of simple pleasures, to be obtained bydunning the arrogant Captain Nugent for his son's debts. Before he couldarrive at a decision his meditations were interrupted by the entrance ofa stout, sandy-haired lady from the back parlour, who, having conqueredhis scruples against matrimony some thirty years before, had kept aparticularly wide-awake eye upon him ever since. 

"Your tea's a-gettin' cold, " she remarked, severely. 

Her husband received the news with calmness. He was by no means anenthusiast where that liquid was concerned, the admiration evoked by itsnon-inebriating qualities having been always something in the nature of amystery to him. 

"I'm coming, " he retorted; "I'm just 'aving a word with Mr. Nugent 'ere. "

"Well, I never did, " said the stout lady, coming farther into the shopand regarding the visitor. "I shouldn't 'ave knowed 'im. If you'd askedme who 'e was I couldn't ha' told you--I shouldn't 'ave knowed 'im fromAdam. "

Jack shook his head. "It's hard to be forgotten like this, " he said, sadly. "Even Miss Kybird had forgotten me, after all that had passedbetween us. "

"Eh?" said Mr. Kybird. 

"Oh, don't take any notice of him, " said his daughter. "I'd like to seemyself. "

Mr. Kybird paid no heed. He was still thinking of the son of CaptainNugent being indebted to him for lodging, and the more he thought of theidea the better he liked it. 

"Well, now you're 'ere, " he said, with a great assumption of cordiality, "why not come in and 'ave a cup o' tea?"

The other hesitated a moment and then, with a light laugh, accepted theoffer. He followed them into the small and untidy back parlour, andbeing requested by his hostess to squeeze in next to 'Melia at the smallround table, complied so literally with the order that that young ladycomplained bitterly of his encroachments. 

"And where do you think of sleeping to-night?" inquired Mr. Kybird afterhis daughter had, to use her own expressive phrase, shown the guest "hisplace. "

Mr. Nugent shook his head. "I shall get a lodging somewhere, " he said, airily. 

"There's a room upstairs as you might 'ave if you liked, " said Mr. Kybird, slowly. "It's been let to a very respectable, clean young man for half acrown a week. Really it ought to be three shillings, but if you like to'ave it at the old price, you can. "

"Done with you, " said the other. 

"No doubt you'll soon get something to do, " continued Mr. Kybird, more inanswer to his wife's inquiring glances than anything else. "Half a crownevery Saturday and the room's yours. "

Mr. Nugent thanked him, and after making a tea which caused Mr. Kybird tocongratulate himself upon the fact that he hadn't offered to board him, sat regaling Mrs. Kybird and daughter with a recital of his adventures inAustralia, receiving in return a full and true account of Sunwich and itspeople up to date. 

"There's no pride about 'im, that's what I like, " said Mrs. Kybird to herlord and master as they sat alone after closing time over a glass of ginand water. "He's a nice young feller, but bisness is bisness, and s'poseyou don't get your rent?"

"I shall get it sooner or later, " said Mr. Kybird. "That stuck-up fatherof 'is 'll be in a fine way at 'im living here. That's wot I'm thinkingof. "

"I don't see why, " said Mrs. Kybird, bridling. "Who's Captain Nugent, Ishould like to know? We're as good as what 'e is, if not better. And asfor the gell, if she'd got 'all Amelia's looks she'd do. "

"'Melia's a fine-looking gal, " assented Mr. Kybird. "I wonder----"

He laid his pipe down on the table and stared at the mantelpiece. "Heseems very struck with 'er, " he concluded. "I see that directly. "

"Not afore I did, " said his wife, sharply. 

"See it afore you come into the shop, " said Mr. Kybird, triumphantly. "It 'ud be a strange thing to marry into that family, Emma. "

"She's keeping company with young Teddy Silk, " his wife reminded him, coldly; "and if she wasn't she could do better than a young man withouta penny in 'is pocket. Pride's a fine thing, Dan'l, but you can't liveon it. "

"I know what I'm talking about, " said Mr. Kybird, impatiently. "I knowshe's keeping company with Teddy as well as wot you do. Still, as far asmoney goes, young Nugent 'll be all right. "

"'Ow?" inquired his wife. 

Mr. Kybird hesitated and took a sip of his gin and water. Then heregarded the wife of his bosom with a calculating glance which at onceexcited that lady's easily kindled wrath. 

[Illustration: "He regarded the wife of his bosom with a calculatingglance. "]

"You know I never tell secrets, " she cried. 

"Not often, " corrected Mr. Kybird, "but then I don't often tell you any. Wot would you say to young Nugent coming into five 'undred pounds 'ismother left 'im when he's twenty-five? He don't know it, but I do. "

"Five 'undred, " repeated his wife, "sure?"

"No, " said the other, "I'm not sure, but I know. I 'ad it from youngRoberts when 'e was at Stone and Dartnell's. Five 'undred pounds! Ishall get my money all right some time, and, if 'e wants a little bit togo on with, 'e can have it. He's honest enough; I can see that by hismanner. "

Upstairs in the tiny room under the tiles Mr. Jack Nugent, in blissfulignorance of his landlord's generous sentiments towards him, slept thesound, dreamless sleep of the man free from monetary cares. In thesanctity of her chamber Miss Kybird, gazing approvingly at the reflectionof her yellow hair and fine eyes in the little cracked looking-glass, wasalready comparing him very favourably with the somewhat pessimistic Mr. Silk. 

CHAPTER VIII

Mr. Nugent's return caused a sensation in several quarters, the feelingat Equator Lodge bordering close upon open mutiny. Even Mrs. Kingdomplucked up spirit and read the astonished captain a homily upon the firstduties of a parent--a homily which she backed up by reading the story ofthe Prodigal Son through to the bitter end. At the conclusion she brokedown entirely and was led up to bed by Kate and Bella, the sympathy ofthe latter taking an acute form, and consisting mainly of innuendoeswhich could only refer to one person in the house. 

Kate Nugent, who was not prone to tears, took a different line, but withno better success. The captain declined to discuss the subject, and, after listening to a description of himself in which Nero and othercelebrities figured for the purpose of having their characterswhitewashed, took up his hat and went out. 

Jem Hardy heard of the new arrival from his partner, and, ignoring thatgentleman's urgent advice to make hay while the sun shone and take MasterNugent for a walk forthwith sat thoughtfully considering how to turn theaffair to the best advantage. A slight outbreak of diphtheria atFullalove Alley had, for a time, closed that thoroughfare to Miss Nugent, and he was inclined to regard the opportune arrival of her brother as aneffort of Providence on his behalf. 

For some days, however, he looked for Jack Nugent in vain, that gentlemaneither being out of doors engaged in an earnest search for work, orsnugly seated in the back parlour of the Kybirds, indulging in thesomewhat perilous pastime of paying compliments to Amelia Kybird. Remittances which had reached him from his sister and aunt had beenpromptly returned, and he was indebted to the amiable Mr. Kybird for thebare necessaries of life. In these circumstances a warm feeling ofgratitude towards the family closed his eyes to their obviousshortcomings. 

He even obtained work down at the harbour through a friend of Mr. Kybird's. It was not of a very exalted nature, and caused more strainupon the back than the intellect, but seven years of roughing it had lefthim singularly free from caste prejudices, a freedom which he soondiscovered was not shared by his old acquaintances at Sunwich. Thediscovery made him somewhat bitter, and when Hardy stopped him oneafternoon as he was on his way home from work he tried to ignore hisoutstretched hand and continued on his way. 

[Illustration: "He even obtained work down at the harbor. "]

"It is a long time since we met, " said Hardy, placing himself in frontof him. 

"Good heavens, " said Jack, regarding him closely, "it's Jemmy Hardy--grown up spick and span like the industrious little boys in theschool-books. I heard you were back here. "

"I came back just before you did, " said Hardy. "Brass band playing you inand all that sort of thing, I suppose, " said the other. "Alas, how thewicked prosper--and you were wicked. Do you remember how you used toknock me about?"

"Come round to my place and have a chat, " said Hardy. 

Jack shook his head. "They're expecting me in to tea, " he said, with anod in the direction of Mr. Kybird's, "and honest waterside labourers whoearn their bread by the sweat of their brow--when the foreman is looking--do not frequent the society of the upper classes. "

"Don't be a fool, " said Hardy, politely. 

"Well, I'm not very tidy, " retorted Mr. Nugent, glancing at his clothes. "I don't mind it myself; I'm a philosopher, and nothing hurts me so longas I have enough to eat and drink; but I don't inflict myself on myfriends, and I must say most of them meet me more than half-way. "

"Imagination, " said Hardy. 

"All except Kate and my aunt, " said Jack, firmly. "Poor Kate; I tried tocut her the other day. "

"Cut her?" echoed Hardy. 

Nugent nodded. "To save her feelings, " he replied; "but she wouldn't becut, bless her, and on the distinct understanding that it wasn't to forma precedent, I let her kiss me behind a waggon. Do you know, I fancyshe's grown up rather good-looking, Jem?"

"You are observant, " said Mr. Hardy, admiringly. 

"Of course, it may be my partiality, " said Mr. Nugent, with judicialfairness. "I was always a bit fond of Kate. I don't suppose anybodyelse would see anything in her. Where are you living now?"

"Fort Road, " said Hardy; "come round any evening you can, if you won'tcome now. "

Nugent promised, and, catching sight of Miss Kybird standing in thedoorway of the shop, bade him good-bye and crossed the road. It wasbecoming quite a regular thing for her to wait and have her tea with himnow, an arrangement which was provocative of many sly remarks on the partof Mrs. Kybird. 

[Illustration: "Miss Kybird standing in the doorway of the shop. "]

"Thought you were never coming, " said Miss Kybird, tartly, as she led theway to the back room and took her seat at the untidy tea-tray. 

"And you've been crying your eyes out, I suppose, " remarked Mr. Nugent, as he groped in the depths of a tall jar for black-currant jam. "Well, you're not the first, and I don't suppose you'll be the last. How'sTeddy?"

"Get your tea, " retorted Miss Kybird, "and don't make that scraping noiseon the bottom of the jar with your knife. It puts my teeth on edge. "

"So it does mine, " said Mr. Nugent, "but there's a black currant downthere, and I mean to have it. 'Waste not, want not. '"

"Make him put that knife down, " said Miss Kybird, as her mother enteredthe room. Mrs. Kybird shook her head at him. "You two are alwaysquarrelling, " she said, archly, "just like a couple of--couple of----"

"Love-birds, " suggested Mr. Nugent. 

Mrs. Kybird in great glee squeezed round to him and smote him playfullywith her large, fat hand, and then, being somewhat out of breath with theexertion, sat down to enjoy the jest in comfort. 

"That's how you encourage him, " said her daughter; "no wonder he doesn'tbehave. No wonder he acts as if the whole place belongs to him. "

The remark was certainly descriptive of Mr. Nugent's behaviour. His easyassurance and affability had already made him a prime favourite with Mrs. Kybird, and had not been without its effect upon her daughter. Theconstrained and severe company manners of Mr. Edward Silk showed up butpoorly beside those of the paying guest, and Miss Kybird had on severaloccasions drawn comparisons which would have rendered both gentlemenuneasy if they had known of them. 

Mr. Nugent carried the same easy good-fellowship with him the followingweek when, neatly attired in a second-hand suit from Mr. Kybird'sextensive stock, he paid a visit to Jem Hardy to talk over old times anddiscuss the future. 

"You ought to make friends with your father, " said the latter; "it onlywants a little common sense and mutual forbearance. "

"That's all, " said Nugent; "sounds easy enough, doesn't it? No, all hewants is for me to clear out of Sunwich, and I'm not going to--until itpleases me, at any rate. It's poison to him for me to be living at theKybirds' and pushing a trolley down on the quay. Talk about lovesweetening toil, that does. "

Hardy changed the subject, and Nugent, nothing loath, discoursed on hiswanderings and took him on a personally conducted tour through thecontinent of Australia. "And I've come back to lay my bones in SunwichChurchyard, " he concluded, pathetically; "that is, when I've done with'em. "

"A lot of things'll happen before then, " said Hardy. 

"I hope so, " rejoined Mr. Nugent, piously; "my desire is to be buried bymy weeping great-grandchildren. In fact, I've left instructions to thateffect in my will--all I have left, by the way. "

"You're not going to keep on at this water-side work, I suppose?" saidHardy, making another effort to give the conversation a serious turn. 

"The foreman doesn't think so, " replied the other, as he helped himselfto some whisky; "he has made several remarks to that effect lately. "

He leaned back in his chair and smoked thoughtfully, by no meansinsensible to the comfort of his surroundings. He had not been in suchcomfortable quarters since he left home seven years before. He thoughtof the untidy litter of the Kybirds' back parlour, with the forlorn viewof the yard in the rear. Something of his reflections he confided toHardy as he rose to leave. 

"But my market value is about a pound a week, " he concluded, ruefully, "so I must cut my coat to suit my cloth. Good-night. "

He walked home somewhat soberly at first, but the air was cool and freshand a glorious moon was riding in the sky. He whistled cheerfully, andhis spirits rose as various chimerical plans of making money occurred tohim. By the time he reached the High Street, the shops of which were allclosed for the night, he was earning five hundred a year and spending athousand. He turned the handle of the door and, walking in, discoveredMiss Kybird entertaining company in the person of Mr. Edward Silk. 

"Halloa, " he said, airily, as he took a seat. "Don't mind me, youngpeople. Go on just as you would if I were not here. "

Mr. Edward Silk grumbled something under his breath; Miss Kybird, turningto the intruder with a smile of welcome, remarked that she had justthought of going to sleep. 

"Going to sleep?" repeated Mr. Silk, thunder-struck. 

"Yes, " said Miss Kybird, yawning. 

Mr. Silk gazed at her, open-mouthed. "What, with me 'ere?" he inquired, in trembling tones. 

"You're not very lively company, " said Miss Kybird, bending over hersewing. "I don't think you've spoken a word for the last quarter of anhour, and before that you were talking of death-warnings. Made my fleshcreep, you did. "

"Shame!" said Mr. Nugent. 

"You didn't say anything to me about your flesh creeping, " muttered Mr. Silk. 

"You ought to have seen it creep, " interposed Mr. Nugent, severely. 

"I'm not talking to you, " said Mr. Silk, turning on him; "when I want thefavour of remarks from you I'll let you know. "

"Don't you talk to my gentlemen friends like that, Teddy, " said MissKybird, sharply, "because I won't have it. Why don't you try and bebright and cheerful like Mr. Nugent?"

Mr. Silk turned and regarded that gentleman steadfastly; Mr. Nugentmeeting his gaze with a pleasant smile and a low-voiced offer to give himlessons at half a crown an hour. 

"I wouldn't be like 'im for worlds, " said Mr. Silk, with a scornfullaugh. "I'd sooner be like anybody. "

"What have you been saying to him?" inquired Nugent. 

"Nothing, " replied Miss Kybird; "he's often like that. He's got a nasty, miserable, jealous disposition. Not that I mind what he thinks. "

Mr. Silk breathed hard and looked from one to the other. 

"Perhaps he'll grow out of it, " said Nugent, hopefully. "Cheer up, Teddy. You're young yet. "

"Might I arsk, " said the solemnly enraged Mr. Silk, "might I arsk you notto be so free with my Christian name?"

"He doesn't like his name now, " said Nugent, drawing his chair closer toMiss Kybird's, "and I don't wonder at it. What shall we call him? Job?What's that work you're doing? Why don't you get on with that fancywaistcoat you are doing for me?"

Before Miss Kybird could deny all knowledge of the article in questionher sorely tried swain created a diversion by rising. To that simple acthe imparted an emphasis which commanded the attention of both beholders, and, drawing over to Miss Kybird, he stood over her in an attitude atonce terrifying and reproachful. 

"Take your choice, Amelia, " he said, in a thrilling voice. "Me or 'im--which is it to be?"

[Illustration: "Me or 'im--which is it to be?"]

"Here, steady, old man, " cried the startled Nugent. "Go easy. "

"Me or 'im?" repeated Mr. Silk, in stern but broken accents. 

Miss Kybird giggled and, avoiding his gaze, looked pensively at the fadedhearthrug. 

"You're making her blush, " said Mr. Nugent, sternly. "Sit down, Teddy;I'm ashamed of you. We're both ashamed of you. You're confusing usdreadfully proposing to us both in this way. "

Mr. Silk regarded him with a scornful eye, but Miss Kybird, bidding himnot to be foolish, punctuated her remarks with the needle, and astruggle, which Mr. Silk regarded as unseemly in the highest degree, tookplace between them for its possession. 

Mr. Nugent secured it at last, and brandishing it fiercely extortedfeminine screams from Miss Kybird by threatening her with it. Nor washer mind relieved until Mr. Nugent, remarking that he would put it backin the pincushion, placed it in the leg of Mr. Edward Silk. 

Mr. Kybird and his wife, entering through the shop, were just in time towitness a spirited performance on the part of Mr. Silk, the cherishedpurpose of which was to deprive them of a lodger. He drew back as theyentered and, raising his voice above Miss Kybird's, began to explain hisaction. 

"Teddy, I'm ashamed of you, " said Mr. Kybird, shaking his head. "A little joke like that; a little innercent joke. "

"If it 'ad been a darning-needle now--" began Mrs. Kybird. 

"All right, " said the desperate Mr. Silk, "'ave it your own way. Let'Melia marry 'im--I don't care---I give 'er up. "

"Teddy!" said Mr. Kybird, in a shocked voice. "Teddy!"

Mr. Silk thrust him fiercely to one side and passed raging through theshop. The sound of articles falling in all directions attested to hisblind haste, and the force with which he slammed the shop-door wassufficient evidence of his state of mind. 

"Well, upon my word, " said the staring Mr. Kybird; "of all theoutrageyous--"

"Never mind 'im, " said his wife, who was sitting in the easy chair, distributing affectionate smiles between her daughter and the startledMr. Nugent. "Make 'er happy, Jack, that's all I arsk. She's been a goodgal, and she'll make a good wife. I've seen how it was between you forsome time. "

"So 'ave I, " said Mr. Kybird. He shook hands warmly with Mr. Nugent, and, patting that perturbed man on the back, surveyed him with eyesglistening with approval. 

"It's a bit rough on Teddy, isn't it?" inquired Mr. Nugent, anxiously;"besides--"

"Don't you worry about 'im, " said Mr. Kybird, affectionately. "He ain'tworth it. "

"I wasn't, " said Mr. Nugent, truthfully. The situation had developed sorapidly that it had caught him at a disadvantage. He had a dim feelingthat, having been the cause of Miss Kybird's losing one young man, themost elementary notions of chivalry demanded that he should furnish herwith another. And this idea was clearly uppermost in the minds of herparents. He looked over at Amelia and with characteristic philosophyaccepted the position. 

"We shall be the handsomest couple in Sunwich, " he said, simply. 

"Bar none, " said Mr. Kybird, emphatically. 

The stout lady in the chair gazed ax the couple fondly. "It reminds meof our wedding, " she said, softly. "What was it Tom Fletcher said, father? Can you remember?"

"'Arry Smith, you mean, " corrected Mr. Kybird. 

"Tom Fletcher said something, I'm sure, " persisted his wife. 

"He did, " said Mr. Kybird, grimly, "and I pretty near broke 'is 'ead forit. 'Arry Smith is the one you're thinking of. "

Mrs. Kybird after a moment's reflection admitted that he was right, and, the chain of memory being touched, waxed discursive about her own weddingand the somewhat exciting details which accompanied it. After which sheproduced a bottle labelled "Port wine" from the cupboard, and, fillingfour glasses, celebrated the occasion in a befitting but sober fashion. 

"This, " said Mr. Nugent, as he sat on his bed that night to take hisboots off, "this is what comes of trying to make everybody happy andcomfortable with a little fun. I wonder what the governor'll say. "

[Illustration: "I wonder what the governor'll say. "]

CHAPTER IX

The news of his only son's engagement took Captain Nugent's breath away, which, all things considered, was perhaps the best thing it could havedone. He sat at home in silent rage, only exploding when thewell-meaning Mrs. Kingdom sought to minimize his troubles by comparing themwith those of Job. Her reminder that to the best of her remembrance hehad never had a boil in his life put the finishing touch to his patience, and, despairing of drawing-room synonyms for the words which trembled onhis lips, he beat a precipitate retreat to the garden. 

His son bore his new honours bravely. To an appealing and indignantletter from his sister he wrote gravely, reminding her of the differencein their years, and also that he had never interfered in her flirtations, however sorely his brotherly heart might have been wrung by them. Heurged her to forsake such diversions for the future, and to look for analliance with some noble, open-handed man with a large banking accountand a fondness for his wife's relatives. 

To Jem Hardy, who ventured on a delicate re-monstrance one evening, hewas less patient, and displayed a newly acquired dignity which was asource of considerable embarrassment to that well-meaning gentleman. Heeven got up to search for his hat, and was only induced to resume hisseat by the physical exertions of his host. 

"I didn't mean to be offensive, " said the latter. "But you were, " saidthe aggrieved man. Hardy apologized. 

"Talk of that kind is a slight to my future wife, " said Nugent, firmly. "Besides, what business is it of yours?"

Hardy regarded him thoughtfully. It was some time since he had seen MissNugent, and he felt that he was losing valuable time. He had hoped greatthings from the advent of her brother, and now his intimacy seemed worsethan useless. He resolved to take him into his confidence. 

"I spoke from selfish motives, " he said, at last. I wanted you to makefriends with your father again. "

"What for?" inquired the other, staring. 

"To pave the way for me, " said Hardy, raising his voice as he thought ofhis wrongs; "and now, owing to your confounded matrimonial business, that's all knocked on the head. I wouldn't care whom you married if itdidn't interfere with my affairs so. "

"Do you mean, " inquired the astonished Mr. Nugent, "that you want to beon friendly terms with my father?"

"Yes. "

Mr. Nugent gazed at him round-eyed. "You haven't had a blow on the heador anything of that sort at any time, have you?" he inquired. 

Hardy shook his head impatiently. "You don't seem to suffer from anexcess of intellect yourself, " he retorted. "I don't want to beoffensive again, still, I should think it is pretty plain there is onlyone reason why I should go out of my way to seek the society of yourfather. "

"Say what you like about my intellect, " replied the dutiful son, "but Ican't think of even one--not even a small one. Not--Good gracious! Youdon't mean--you can't mean--"

Hardy looked at him. 

"Not that, " said Mr. Nugent, whose intellect had suddenly becomepainfully acute--"not her?"

"Why not?" inquired the other. 

Mr. Nugent leaned back in his chair and regarded him with an air ofkindly interest. "Well, there's no need for you to worry about my fatherfor that, " he said; "he would raise no objection. "

"Eh?" said Hardy, starting up from his chair. 

"He would welcome it, " said Mr. Nugent, positively. "There is nothingthat he would like better; and I don't mind telling you a secret--shelikes you. "

Hardy reddened. "How do you know?" he stammered. 

"I know it for a fact, " said the other, impressively. "I have heard hersay so. But you've been very plain-spoken about me, Jem, so that I shallsay what I think. "

"Do, " said his bewildered friend. 

"I think you'd be throwing yourself away, " said Nugent; "to my mind it'sa most unsuitable match in every way. She's got no money, no looks, nostyle. Nothing but a good kind heart rather the worse for wear. Isuppose you know she's been married once?"

"_What!_" shouted the other. "_Married?_"

Mr. Nugent nodded. His face was perfectly grave, but the joke wasbeginning to prey upon his vitals in a manner which brooked no delay. 

"I thought everybody knew it, " he said. "We have never disguised thefact. Her husband died twenty years ago last----"

"Twenty" said his suddenly enlightened listener. "Who?--What?"

Mr. Nugent, incapable of reply, put his head on the table and beat theair frantically with his hand, while gasping sobs rent his torturedframe. 

"Dear--aunt, " he choked, "how pleas--pleased she'd be if--she knew. Don't look like that, Hardy. You'll kill me. "

"You seem amused, " said Hardy, between his teeth. 

"And you'll be Kate's uncle, " said Mr. Nugent, sitting up and wiping hiseyes. "Poor little Kate. "

He put his head on the table again. "And mine, " he wailed. "_Unclejemmy!_--will you tip us half-crowns, nunky?"

Mr. Hardy's expression of lofty scorn only served to retard his recovery, but he sat up at last and, giving his eyes a final wipe, beamed kindlyupon his victim. 

"Well, I'll do what I can for you, " he observed, "but I suppose you knowKate's off for a three months' visit to London to-morrow?"

The other observed that he didn't know it, and, taught by his recentexperience, eyed him suspiciously. 

"It's quite true, " said Nugent; "she's going to stay with some relativesof ours. She used to be very fond of one of the boys--her cousinHerbert--so you mustn't be surprised if she comes back engaged. But Idaresay you'll have forgotten all about her in three months. And, anyway, I don't suppose she'd look at you if you were the last man in theworld. If you'll walk part of the way home with me I'll regale you withanecdotes of her chilhood which will probably cause you to change yourviews altogether. "

In Fullalove Alley Mr. Edward Silk, his forebodings fulfilled, receivedthe news of Amelia Kybird's faithlessness in a spirit of' quiet despair, and turned a deaf ear to the voluble sympathy of his neighbours. Similarthings had happened to young men living there before, but their behaviourhad been widely different to Mr. Silk's. Bob Crump, for instance, hadbeen jilted on the very morning he had arranged for his wedding, butinstead of going about in a state of gentle melancholy he went round andfought his beloved's father--merely because it was her father--and woundup an exciting day by selling off his household goods to the highestbidders. Henry Jones in similar circumstances relieved his great griefby walking up and down the alley smashing every window within reach ofhis stick. 

[Illustration: "A spirit of quiet despair. "]

But these were men of spirit; Mr. Silk was cast in a different mould, andhis fair neighbours sympathized heartily with him in his bereavement, while utterly failing to understand any man breaking his heart overAmelia Kybird. 

His mother, a widow of uncertain age, shook her head over him and hinteddarkly at consumption, an idea which was very pleasing to her son, andgave him an increased interest in a slight cold from which he wassuffering. 

"He wants taking out of 'imself, " said Mr. Wilks, who had stepped acrossthe alley to discuss the subject with his neighbour; "cheerful societyand 'obbies--that's what 'e wants. "

"He's got a faithful 'eart, " sighed Mrs. Silk. "It's in the family; 'ecan't 'elp it. "

"But 'e might be lifted out of it, " urged Mr. Wilks. "I 'ad severaldisappointments in my young days. One time I 'ad a fresh gal everyv'y'ge a'most. "

Mrs. Silk sniffed and looked up the alley, whereat two neighbours whohappened to be at their doors glanced up and down casually, and retreatedinside to continue their vigil from the windows. 

"Silk courted me for fifteen years before I would say 'yes, '" she said, severely. 

"Fifteen years!" responded the other. He cast his eyes upwards and hislips twitched. The most casual observer could have seen that he wasengaged in calculations of an abstruse and elusive nature. 

"I was on'y seven when 'e started, " said Mrs. Silk, sharply. 

Mr. Wilks brought his eyes to a level again. "Oh, seven, " he remarked. 

"And we was married two days before my nineteenth birthday, " added Mrs. Silk, whose own arithmetic had always been her weak point. 

"Just so, " said Mr. Wilks. He glanced at the sharp white face andshapeless figure before him. "It's hard to believe you can 'ave a sonTeddy's age, " he added, gallantly. 

"It makes you feel as if you're getting on, " said the widow. 

The ex-steward agreed, and after standing a minute or two in silence madea preliminary motion of withdrawal. 

"Beautiful your plants are looking, " said Mrs. Silk, glancing over at hiswindow; "I can't think what you do to 'em. "

The gratified Mr. Wilks began to explain. It appeared that plants wantedalmost as much looking after as daughters. 

"I should like to see 'em close, " said Mrs. Silk. "Come in and 'ave alook at 'em, " responded her neighbour. 

Mrs. Silk hesitated and displayed a maidenly coyness far in excess of theneeds of the situation. Then she stepped across, and five seconds laterthe two matrons, with consternation writ large upon their faces, appearedat their doors again and, exchanging glances across the alley, met in thecentre. 

They were more surprised an evening or two later to see Mr. Wilks leavehis house to pay a return visit, bearing in his hand a small bunch of hischerished blooms. That they were blooms which would have paid the debtof Nature in a few hours at most in no way detracted from the widow'sexpressions of pleasure at receiving them, and Mr. Wilks, who had beeninvited over to cheer up Mr. Silk, who was in a particularly black mood, sat and smiled like a detected philanthropist as she placed them inwater. 

[Illustration: "A return visit. "]

"Good evenin', Teddy, " he said, breezily, with a side-glance at hishostess. "What a lovely day we've 'ad. "

"So bright, " said Mrs. Silk, nodding with spirit. 

Mr. Wilks sat down and gave vent to such a cheerful laugh that theornaments on the mantelpiece shook with it. "It's good to be alive, "he declared. 

"Ah, you enjoy your life, Mr. Wilks, " said the widow. 

"Enjoy it!" roared Mr. Wilks; "enjoy it! Why shouldn't I? Why shouldn'teverybody enjoy their lives? It was what they was given to us for. "

"So they was, " affirmed Mrs. Silk; "nobody can deny that; not if theytry. "

"Nobody wants to deny it, ma'am, " retorted Mr. Wilks, in the high voicehe kept for cheering-up purposes. "I enjoy every day o' my life. "

He filled his pipe, chuckling serenely, and having lit it sat and enjoyedthat. Mrs. Silk retired for a space, and returning with a jug of alepoured him out a glass and set it by his elbow. 

"Here's your good 'ealth, ma'am, " said Mr. Wilks, raising it. "Here'syours, Teddy--a long life and a 'appy one. "

Mr. Silk turned listlessly. "I don't want a long life, " he remarked. 

His mother and her visitor exchanged glances. 

"That's 'ow 'e goes on, " remarked the former, in an audible whisper. Mr. Wilks nodded, reassuringly. 

"I 'ad them ideas once, " he said, "but they go off. If you could onlylive to see Teddy at the age o' ninety-five, 'e wouldn't want to go then. 'E'd say it was crool hard, being cut off in the flower of 'is youth. "

Mrs. Silk laughed gaily and Mr. Wilks bellowed a gruff accompaniment. Mr. Edward Silk eyed them pityingly. 

"That's the 'ardship of it, " he said, slowly, as he looked round from hisseat by the fireplace; "that's where the 'ollowness of things comes in. That's where I envy Mr. Wilks. "

"Envy me?" said the smiling visitor; "what for?"

"Because you're so near the grave, " said Mr. Silk. 

Mr. Wilks, who was taking another draught of beer, put the glass down andeyed him fixedly. 

"That's why I envy you, " continued the other. 

"I don't want to live, and you do, and yet I dessay I shall be walkingabout forty and fifty years after you're dead and forgotten. "

"Wot d'ye mean--near the grave?" inquired

Mr. Wilks, somewhat shortly. 

"I was referring to your age, " replied the other; "it's strange to see'ow the aged 'ang on to life. You can't 'ave much pleasure at your timeo' life. And you're all alone; the last withered branch left. "

"Withered branch!" began Mr. Wilks; "'ere, look 'ere, Teddy----"

"All the others 'ave gone, " pursued Mr. Silk, and they're beckoning toyou. "

"Let 'em beckon, " said Mr. Wilks, coldly. "I'm not going yet. "

"You're not young, " said Mr. Silk, gazing meditatively at the grate, "andI envy you that. It can only be a matter of a year or two at most beforeyou are sleeping your last long sleep. "

"Teddy!" protested Mrs. Silk. 

"It's true, mother, " said the melancholy youth. "Mr. Wilks is old. Whyshould 'e mind being told of it? If 'e had 'ad the trouble I've 'ad 'e'dbe glad to go. But he'll 'ave to go, whether 'e likes it or not. Itmight be to-night. Who can tell?"

Mr. Wilks, unasked, poured himself out another glass of ale, and drank itoff with the air of a man who intended to make sure of that. It seemed atrifle more flat than the last. 

"So many men o' your age and thereabouts, " continued Mr. Silk, "thinkthat they're going to live on to eighty or ninety, but there's very fewof 'em do. It's only a short while, Mr. Wilks, and the littlechildren'll be running about over your grave and picking daisies offof it. "

"Ho, will they?" said the irritated Mr. Wilks; "they'd better not let mecatch 'em at it, that's all. "

"He's always talking like that now, " said Mrs. Silk, not without acertain pride in her tones; "that's why I asked you in to cheer 'im up. "

"All your troubles'll be over then, " continued the warning voice, "and ina month or two even your name'll be forgotten. That's the way of theworld. Think 'ow soon the last five years of your life 'ave passed; thenext five'll pass ten times as fast even if you live as long, which ain'tlikely. "

"He talks like a clergyman, " said Mrs. Silk, in a stage whisper. 

Mr. Wilks nodded, and despite his hostess's protests rose to go. Heshook hands with her and, after a short but sharp inward struggle, shookhands with her son. It was late in the evening as he left, but thehouses had not yet been lit up. Dim figures sat in doorways or stoodabout the alley, and there was an air of peace and rest strangely anduncomfortably in keeping with the conversation to which he had just beenlistening. He looked in at his own door; the furniture seemed stifferthan usual and the tick of the clock more deliberate. He closed the dooragain and, taking a deep breath, set off towards the life and bustle ofthe Two Schooners. 

[Illustration: "He set off towards the life and bustle of the TwoSchooners. "]

CHAPTER X

Time failed to soften the captain's ideas concerning his son'sengagement, and all mention of the subject in the house was strictlyforbidden. Occasionally he was favoured with a glimpse of his son andMiss Kybird out together, a sight which imparted such a flavour to histemper and ordinary intercourse that Mrs. Kingdom, in unconsciousimitation of Mr. James Hardy, began to count the days which must elapsebefore her niece's return from London. His ill-temper even infected theother members of the household, and Mrs. Kingdom sat brooding in herbedroom all one afternoon, because Bella had called her an "overbearingdish-pot. "

The finishing touch to his patience was supplied by a littlemisunderstanding between Mr. Kybird and the police. For the second timein his career the shopkeeper appeared before the magistrates to explainthe circumstances in which he had purchased stolen property, and for thesecond time he left the court without a stain on his character, but witha significant magisterial caution not to appear there again. 

[Illustration: "For the second time he left the court without a stain onhis character. "]

Jack Nugent gave evidence in the case, and some of his replies weredeemed worthy of reproduction in the Sunwich Herald, a circumstance whichlost the proprietors a subscriber of many years' standing. 

One by one various schemes for preventing his son's projected alliancewere dismissed as impracticable. A cherished design of confining him inan asylum for the mentally afflicted until such time as he should haveregained his senses was spoilt by the refusal of Dr. Murchison to arrangefor the necessary certificate; a refusal which was like to have beenfraught with serious consequences to that gentleman's hopes of enteringthe captain's family. 

Brooding over his wrongs the captain, a day or two after his daughter'sreturn, strolled slowly down towards the harbour. It was afternoon, andthe short winter day was already drawing towards a close. The shippinglooked cold and desolate in the greyness, but a bustle of work prevailedon the Conqueror, which was nearly ready for sea again. The captain'sgaze wandered from his old craft to the small vessels dotted about theharbour and finally dwelt admiringly on the lines of the whaler Seabird, which had put in a few days before as the result of a slight collisionwith a fishing-boat. She was high out of the water and beautifullyrigged. A dog ran up and down her decks barking, and a couple of squatfigures leaned over the bulwarks gazing stolidly ashore. 

There was something about the vessel which took his fancy, and he stoodfor some time on the edge of the quay, looking at her. In a day or twoshe would sail for a voyage the length of which would depend upon hersuccess; a voyage which would for a long period keep all on board of herout of the mischief which so easily happens ashore. If only Jack----

He started and stared more intently than before. He was not animaginative man, but he had in his mind's eye a sudden vision of his onlyson waving farewells from the deck of the whaler as she emerged from theharbour into the open sea, while Amelia Kybird tore her yellow locksashore. It was a vision to cheer any self-respecting father's heart, andhe brought his mind back with some regret to the reality of the anchoredship. 

He walked home slowly. At the Kybirds' door the proprietor, smoking ashort clay pipe, eyed him with furtive glee as he passed. Farther alongthe road the Hardys, father and son, stepped briskly together. Altogether a trying walk, and calculated to make him more dissatisfiedthan ever with the present state of affairs. When his daughter shook herhead at him and accused him of going off on a solitary frolic his stockof patience gave out entirely. 

[Illustration: "The proprietor eyed him with furtive glee as he passed. "]

A thoughtful night led to a visit to Mr. Wilks the following evening. Itrequired a great deal of deliberation on his part before he could make uphis mind to the step, but he needed his old steward's assistance in alittle plan he had conceived for his son's benefit, and for the firsttime in his life he paid him the supreme honour of a call. 

The honour was so unexpected that Mr. Wilks, coming into the parlour inresponse to the tapping of the captain's stick on the floor, stood for ashort time eyeing him in dismay. Only two minutes before he had takenMr. James Hardy into the kitchen to point out the interior beauties ofan ancient clock, and the situation simply appalled him. The captaingreeted him almost politely and bade him sit down. Mr. Wilks smiledfaintly and caught his breath. 

"Sit down, " repeated the captain. 

"I've left something in the kitchen, sir, " said Mr. Wilks. "I'll be backin half a minute. "

The captain nodded. In the kitchen Mr. Wilks rapidly and incoherentlyexplained the situation to Mr. Hardy. 

"I'll sit here, " said the latter, drawing up a comfortable oak chair tothe stove. 

"You see, he don't know that we know each other, " explained theapologetic steward, "but I don't like leaving you in the kitchen. "

"I'm all right, " said Hardy; "don't you trouble about me. "

He waved him away, and Mr. Wilks, still pale, closed the door behind himand, rejoining the captain, sat down on the extreme edge of a chair andwaited. 

"I've come to see you on a little matter of business, " said his visitor. 

Mr. Wilks smiled; then, feeling that perhaps that was not quite the rightthing to do, looked serious again. 

"I came to see you about my--my son, " continued the captain. 

"Yes, sir, " said Mr. Wilks. "Master Jack, you mean?"

"I've only got one son, " said the other, unpleasantly, "unless you happento know of any more. "

Mr. Wilks almost fell off the edge of the chair in his haste to disclaimany such knowledge. His ideas were in a ferment, and the guiltyknowledge of what he had left in the kitchen added to his confusion. And just at that moment the door opened and Miss Nugent came briskly in. 

Her surprise at seeing her father ensconced in a chair by the fire led toa rapid volley of questions. The captain, in lieu of answering them, asked another. 

"What do you want here?"

"I have come to see Sam, " said Miss Nugent. "Fancy seeing you here! Howare you, Sam?"

"Pretty well, miss, thank'ee, " replied Mr. Wilks, "considering, " headded, truthfully, after a moment's reflection. 

Miss Nugent dropped into a chair and put her feet on the fender. Herfather eyed her restlessly. 

"I came here to speak to Sam about a private matter, " he said, abruptly. 

"Private matter, " said his daughter, looking round in surprise. "Whatabout?"

"A private matter, " repeated Captain Nugent. "Suppose you come in someother time. "

Kate Nugent sighed and took her feet from the fender. "I'll go and waitin the kitchen, " she said, crossing to the door. 

Both men protested. The captain because it ill-assorted with his dignityfor his daughter to sit in the kitchen, and Mr. Wilks because of thevisitor already there. The face of the steward, indeed, took on suchextraordinary expressions in his endeavour to convey private informationto the girl that she gazed at him in silent amazement. Then she turnedthe handle of the door and, passing through, closed it with a bang whichwas final. 

Mr. Wilks stood spellbound, but nothing happened. There was no cry ofsurprise; no hasty reappearance of an indignant Kate Nugent. Hisfeatures working nervously he resumed his seat and gazed dutifully at hissuperior officer. 

"I suppose you've heard that my son is going to get married?" said thelatter. 

"I couldn't help hearing of it, sir, " said the steward in self defence--"nobody could. "

"He's going to marry that yellow-headed Jezebel of Kybird's, " said thecaptain, staring at the fire. 

Mr. Wilks murmured that he couldn't understand anybody liking yellowhair, and, more than that, the general opinion of the ladies in FullaloveAlley was that it was dyed. 

"I'm going to ship him on the Seabird, " continued the captain. "She'llprobably be away for a year or two, and, in the meantime, this girl willprobably marry somebody else. Especially if she doesn't know what hasbecome of him. He can't get into mischief aboard ship. "

"No, sir, " said the wondering Mr. Wilks. "Is Master Jack agreeable togoing, sir?"

"That's nothing to do with it, " said the captain, sharply. 

"No, sir, " said Mr. Wilks, "o' course not. I was only a sort o'wondering how he was going to be persuaded to go if 'e ain't. "

"That's what I came here about, " said the other. "I want you to go andfix it up with Nathan Smith. "

"Do you want 'im to be _crimped, _ sir?" stammered Mr. Wilks. 

"I want him shipped aboard the _Seabird, _" returned the other, "andSmith's the man to do it. "

"It's a very hard thing to do in these days, sir, " said Mr. Wilks, shaking his head. "What with signing on aboard the day before the shipsails, and before the Board o' Trade officers, I'm sure it's a wonderthat anybody goes to sea at all. "

"You leave that to Smith, " said the captain, impatiently. "The Seabirdsails on Friday morning's tide. Tell Smith I'll arrange to meet my sonhere on Thursday night, and that he must have some liquor for us and afly waiting on the beach. "

Mr. Wilks wriggled: "But what about signing on, sir?" he inquired. 

"He won't sign on, " said the captain, "he'll be a stowaway. Smith mustget him smuggled aboard, and bribe the hands to let him lie hidden in thefo'c's'le. The Seabird won't put back to put him ashore. Here is fivepounds; give Smith two or three now, and the remainder when the job isdone. "

The steward took the money reluctantly and, plucking up his courage, looked his old master in the face. 

"It's a 'ard life afore the mast, sir, " he said, slowly. 

"Rubbish!" was the reply. "It'll make a man of him. Besides, what's itgot to do with you?"

"I don't care about the job, sir, " said Mr. Wilks, bravely. 

"What's that got to do with it?" demanded the other, frowning. "You goand fix it up with Nathan Smith as soon as possible. "

Mr. Wilks shuffled his feet and strove to remind himself that he was agentleman of independent means, and could please himself. 

"I've known 'im since he was a baby, " he murmured, defiantly. 

"I don't want to hear anything more from you, Wilks, " said the captain, in a hard voice. "Those are my orders, and you had better see that theyare carried out. My son will be one of the first to thank you later onfor getting him out of such a mess. "

Mr. Wilks's brow cleared somewhat. "I s'pose Miss Kate 'ud be pleasedtoo, " he remarked, hope-fully. 

"Of course she will, " said the captain. "Now I look to you, Wilks, tomanage this thing properly. I wouldn't trust anybody else, and you'venever disappointed me yet. "

The steward gasped and, doubting whether he had heard aright, lookedtowards his old master, but in vain, for the confirmation of furthercompliments. In all his long years of service he had never been praisedby him before. He leaned forward eagerly and began to discuss ways andmeans. 

In the next room conversation was also proceeding, but fitfully. MissNugent's consternation when she closed the door behind her and foundherself face to face with Mr. Hardy was difficult of concealment. Toolate she understood the facial contortions of Mr. Wilks, and, resigningherself to the inevitable, accepted the chair placed for her by thehighly pleased Jem, and sat regarding him calmly from the other side ofthe fender. 

[Illustration: "Miss Nugent's consternation was difficult ofconcealment. "]

"I am waiting here for my father, " she said, in explanation. 

"In deference to Wilks's terrors I am waiting here until he has gone, "said Hardy, with a half smile. 

There was a pause. "I hope that he will not be long, " said the girl. 

"Thank you, " returned Hardy, wilfully misunderstanding, "but I am in nohurry. "

He gazed at her with admiration. The cold air had heightened her colour, and the brightness of her eyes shamed the solitary candle which lit upthe array of burnished metal on the mantelpiece. 

"I hope you enjoyed your visit to London, " he said. 

Before replying Miss Nugent favoured him with a glance designed toexpress surprise at least at his knowledge of her movements. "Very much, thank you, " she said, at last. 

Mr. Hardy, still looking at her with much comfort to himself, felt aninsane desire to tell her how much she had been missed by one person atleast in Sunwich. Saved from this suicidal folly by the little commonsense which had survived the shock of her sudden appearance, he gave theinformation indirectly. 

"Quite a long stay, " he murmured; "three months and three days; no, threemonths and two days. "

A sudden wave of colour swept over the girl's face at the ingenuity ofthis mode of attack. She was used to attention and took compliments asher due, but the significant audacity of this one baffled her. She satwith downcast eyes looking at the fender occasionally glancing from thecorner of her eye to see whether he was preparing to renew the assault. He had certainly changed from the Jem Hardy of olden days. She had afaint idea that his taste had improved. 

"Wilks keeps his house in good order, " said Hardy, looking round. 

"Yes, " said the girl. 

"Wonder why he never married, " said Hardy, musingly; "for my part I can'tunderstand a man remaining single all his life; can you?"

"I never think of such things, " said Miss Nugent, coldly--anduntruthfully. 

"If it was only to have somebody to wait on him and keep his houseclean, " pursued Hardy, with malice. 

Miss Nugent grew restless, and the wrongs of her sex stirred within her. "You have very lofty ideas on the subject, " she said, scornfully, "but Ibelieve they are not uncommon. "

"Still, you have never thought about such things, you know, " he remindedher. 

"And no doubt you have devoted a great deal of time to the subject. "

Hardy admitted it frankly. "But only since I returned to Sunwich, " hesaid. 

"Caused by the spectacle of Sam's forlorn condition, I suppose, " saidMiss Nugent. 

"No, it wasn't that, " he replied. 

Miss Nugent, indignant at having been drawn into such a discussion, lapsed into silence. It was safer and far more dignified, but at thesame time she yearned for an opportunity of teaching this presumptuousyoung man a lesson. So far he had had it all his own way. A way strewnwith ambiguities which a modest maiden had to ignore despite herself. 

"Of course, Wilks may have had a disappointment, " said Hardy, with theair of one willing to make allowances. 

"I believe he had about fifty, " said the girl, carelessly. 

Hardy shook his head in strong disapproval. "No man should have morethan one, " he said, firmly; "a man of any strength of will wouldn't havethat. "

"Strength of will?" repeated the astonished Miss Nugent. 

Their eyes met; hers sparkling with indignation; his full of coldcalculation. If he had had any doubts before, he was quite sure now thathe had gone the right way to work to attract her attention; she wasalmost quivering with excitement. 

"Your ideas will probably change with age--and disappointment, " she said, sweetly. 

"I shall not be disappointed, " said Hardy, coolly. "I'll take care ofthat. "

Miss Nugent eyed him wistfully and racked her brains for an appropriateand crushing rejoinder. In all her experience--and it was considerableconsidering her years--she had never met with such carefully constructedaudacity, and she longed, with a great longing, to lure him into the openand destroy him. She was still considering ways and means of doing thiswhen the door opened and revealed the surprised and angry form of herfather and behind it the pallid countenance of Mr. Wilks. For a momentanger deprived the captain of utterance. 

"Who----" he stammered. "What----"

"What a long time you've been, father, " said Miss Nugent, in a reprovingvoice. "I began to be afraid you were never going. "

"You come home with me, " said the captain, recovering. 

The command was given in his most imperious manner, and his daughterdropped her muff in some resentment as she rose, in order to let him havethe pleasure of seeing Mr. Hardy pick it up. It rolled, however, in hisdirection, and he stooped for it just as Hardy darted forward. Theirheads met with a crash, and Miss Nugent forgot her own consternation inthe joy of beholding the pitiable exhibition which terror made of Mr. Wilks. 

"I'm very sorry, " said Hardy, as he reverently dusted the muff on hiscoat-sleeve before returning it. "I'm afraid it was my fault. "

"It was, " said the infuriated captain, as he held the door open for hisdaughter. "Now, Kate. "

Miss Nugent passed through, followed by her father, and escorted to thefront door by the steward, whose faint "Good-night" was utterly ignoredby his injured commander. He stood at the door until they had turned thecorner, and, returning to the kitchen, found his remaining guest holdinghis aching head beneath the tap. 

[Illustration: "He found his remaining guest holding his aching headbeneath the tap. "]

"And now, " said the captain, sternly, to his daughter, "how dare you sitand talk to that young cub? Eh? How dare you?"

"He was there when I went in, " said his daughter. "Why didn't you comeout, then?" demanded her father. 

"I was afraid of disturbing you and Sam, " said Miss Nugent. "Besides, why shouldn't I speak to him?"

"Why?" shouted the captain. "Why? Because I won't have it. "

"I thought you liked him, " said Miss Nugent, in affected surprise. "Youpatted him on the head. "

The captain, hardly able to believe his ears, came to an impressive stopin the roadway, but Miss Nugent walked on. She felt instinctively thatthe joke was thrown away on him, and, in the absence of any otheraudience, wanted to enjoy it without interruption. Convulsive andhalf-suppressed sounds, which she ascribed to a slight cold caught whilewaiting in the kitchen, escaped her at intervals for the remainder of thejourney home.