erhood had attended in silence, and he now obsequiously bespake the
Captain.

'Captain! Mentioning them unfort'net words of mine respecting Gaffer,
it is contrairily to be bore in mind that Gaffer always were a precious
rascal, and that his line were a thieving line. Likeways when I went to
them two Governors, Lawyer Lightwood and the t'other Governor, with
my information, I may have been a little over-eager for the cause of
justice, or (to put it another way) a little over-stimilated by them
feelings which rouses a man up, when a pot of money is going about,
to get his hand into that pot of money for his family's sake. Besides
which, I think the wine of them two Governors was--I will not say
a hocussed wine, but fur from a wine as was elthy for the mind. And
there's another thing to be remembered, Captain. Did I stick to them
words when Gaffer was no more, and did I say bold to them two Governors,
"Governors both, wot I informed I still inform; wot was took down I hold
to"? No. I says, frank and open--no shuffling, mind you, Captain!--"I
may have been mistook, I've been a thinking of it, it mayn't have been
took down correct on this and that, and I won't swear to thick and thin,
I'd rayther forfeit your good opinions than do it." And so far as
I know,' concluded Mr Riderhood, by way of proof and evidence to
character, 'I HAVE actiwally forfeited the good opinions of several
persons--even your own, Captain, if I understand your words--but I'd
sooner do it than be forswore. There; if that's conspiracy, call me
conspirator.'

'You shall sign,' said the visitor, taking very little heed of this
oration, 'a statement that it was all utterly false, and the poor girl
shall have it. I will bring it with me for your signature, when I come
again.'

'When might you be expected, Captain?' inquired Riderhood, again
dubiously getting between him and door.

'Quite soon enough for you. I shall not disappoint you; don't be
afraid.'

'Might you be inclined to leave any name, Captain?'

'No, not at all. I have no such intention.'

'"Shall" is summ'at of a hard word, Captain,' urged Riderhood, still
feebly dodging between him and the door, as he advanced. 'When you say a
man "shall" sign this and that and t'other, Captain, you order him about
in a grand sort of a way. Don't it seem so to yourself?'

The man stood still, and angrily fixed him with his eyes.

'Father, father!' entreated Pleasant, from the door, with her disengaged