on board early, and was
down in the cabin that had been fitted out for him. Did I tell you that
if you want the captain for anything you must stamp on the port side of
the deck? That's so. This ship is not only unlike what she used to be,
but she is like no other ship, anyhow. Did you ever hear of the
captain's room being on the port side? Both of them stern-cabins have
been fitted up afresh like a blessed palace. A gang of people from some
tip-top West-End house were fussing here on board with hangings and
furniture for a fortnight, as if the Queen were coming with us. Of
course the starboard cabin is the bedroom one, but the poor captain
hangs out to port on a couch, so that in case we want him on deck at
night, Mrs Anthony should not be startled. Nervous! Phoo! A woman
who marries a sailor and makes up her mind to come to sea should have no
blamed jumpiness about her, I say. But never mind. Directly the old
cab pointed round the corner of the warehouse I called out to the
captain that his lady was coming aboard. He answered me, but as I
didn't see him coming, I went down the gangway myself to help her
alight. She jumps out excitedly without touching my arm, or as much as
saying `thank you' or `good morning' or anything, turns back to the cab,
and then that old joker comes out slowly. I hadn't noticed him inside.
I hadn't expected to see anybody. It gave me a start. She says: `My
father--Mr Franklin.' He was staring at me like an owl. `How do you
do, sir?' says I. Both of them looked funny. It was as if something
had happened to them on the way. Neither of them moved, and I stood by
waiting. The captain showed himself on the poop; and I saw him at the
side looking over, and then he disappeared; on the way to meet them on
shore, I expected. But he just went down below again. So, not seeing
him, I said: `Let me help you on board, sir.'

"On board!" says he in a silly fashion.

"On board!"

"It's not a very good ladder, but it's quite firm," says I, as he seemed
to be afraid of it. And he didn't look a broken-down old man, either.
You can see yourself what he is. Straight as a poker, and life enough
in him yet. But he made no move, and I began to feel foolish. Then she
comes forward. "Oh! Thank you, Mr Franklin. I'll help my father up."
Flabbergasted me--to be choked off like this. Pushed in between him
and me without as much as a look my way. So of course I dropped it.
What do you t