intervals until the
return of Susan and Miss Polson, who, trying to look unconcerned, came
in later on, both apparently suffering from temper, Susan especially.
Amid the sympathetic interruptions of these listeners Chrissie recounted
her experiences, while the boatswain, despite his better sense, felt
like the greatest scoundrel unhung, a feeling which was fostered by the
remarks of Susan and the chilling regards of Miss Poison.

"I shall inform the captain," said Miss Polson, bridling. "It's my
duty."

"Oh, I shall tell him," said Chrissie. "I shall tell him the moment he
comes in at the door."

"So shall I," said Susan; "the idea of taking such liberties!"

Having fired this broadside, the trio watched the enemy narrowly and
anxiously.

"If I've done anything wrong, ladies," said the unhappy boatswain, "I am
sorry for it. I can't say anything fairer than that, and I'll tell the
cap'n myself exactly how I came to do it when he comes in."

"Pah! tell-tale!" said Susan.

"Of course, if you are here to fetch and carry," said Miss Polson, with
withering emphasis.

"The idea of a grown man telling tales," said Chrissie scornfully.
"Baby!"

"Why, just now you were all going to tell him yourselves," said the
bewildered boatswain.

The two elder women rose and regarded him with looks of pitying disdain.
Miss Polson's glance said "Fool!" plainly; Susan, a simple child of
nature, given to expressing her mind freely, said "Blockhead!" with
conviction.

"I see 'ow it is," said the boatswain, after ruminating deeply. "Well,
I won't split, ladies. I can see now you was all in it, and it was a
little job to get me out of the house."

"What a head he has got," said the irritated Susan; "isn't it wonderful
how he thinks of it all! Nobody would think he was so clever to look at
him."

"Still waters run deep," said the boatswain, who was beginning to have a
high opinion of himself.

"And pride goes before a fall," said Chrissie; "remember that, Mr.
Tucker."

Mr. Tucker grinned, but, remembering the fable of the pitcher and the
well, pressed his superior officer that evening to relieve him from his
duties. He stated that the strain was slowly undermining a constitution
which was not so strong as appearances would warrant, and that his
knowledge of female nature was lamentably deficient on many important
points. "You're doing very well," said the captain, who had no intention
of attending any more Dorcases, "very wel