st; for I'm sartin that
if the skipper hadn't hurt his feelings the way he did we should now
know as much about the sea-sarpint as we do about our own brothers."

MRS. BUNKER'S CHAPERON

Matilda stood at the open door of a house attached to a wharf situated
in that dreary district which bears the high-sounding name of "St.
Katharine's."

Work was over for the day. A couple of unhorsed vans were pushed up
the gangway by the side of the house, and the big gate was closed. The
untidy office which occupied the ground-floor was deserted, except for
a grey-bearded "housemaid" of sixty, who was sweeping it through with a
broom, and indulging in a few sailorly oaths at the choking qualities of
the dust he was raising.

The sound of advancing footsteps stopped at the gate, a small flap-door
let in it flew open, and Matilda Bunker's open countenance took a
pinkish hue, as a small man in jersey and blue coat, with a hard round
hat exceeding high in the crown, stepped inside.

"Good evening, Mrs. Bunker, ma'am," said he, coming slowly up to her.

"Good evening, captain," said the lady, who was Mrs. only by virtue of
her age and presence.

"Fresh breeze," said the man in the high round hat. "If this lasts we'll
be in Ipswich in no time."

Mrs. Bunker assented.

"Beautiful the river is at present," continued the captain. "Everything
growing splendid."

"In the river?" asked the mystified Mrs. Bunker.

"On the banks," said the captain; "the trees, by Sheppey, and all round
there. Now, why don't you say the word, and come? There's a cabin like
a new pin ready for you to sit in--for cleanness, I mean--and every
accommodation you could require. Sleep like a humming-top you will, if
you come."

"Humming-top?" queried Mrs. Bunker archly.

"Any top," said the captain. "Come, make up your mind. We shan't sail
afore nine."

"It don't look right," said the lady, who was sorely tempted. "But the
missus says I may go if I like, so I'll just go and get my box ready.
I'll be down on the jetty at nine."

"Ay, ay," said the skipper, smiling, "me and Bill'll just have a snooze
till then. So long."

"So long," said Matilda.

"So long," repeated the amorous skipper, and turning round to bestow
another ardent glance upon the fair one at the door, crashed into the
waggon.

The neighbouring clocks were just striking nine in a sort of yelping
chorus to the heavy boom of Big Ben, which came floating down the
river, as Mrs.