No," said he, in the same abstraction; "I am making for the
Solway, being long overdue. But what think you of this, Mr. Carvel?"

And he held up a wondrous vellum-hole waistcoat of a gone-by vintage,
and I saw how futile it were to attempt to lead him, while in that
state of absorption, to topics which touched my affair. Of a sudden
the significance of what he had said crept over me, the word Solway
repeating itself in my mind. That firth bordered England itself,
and Dorothy was in London! I became reconciled. I had no particle of
objection to the Solway save the uneasiness my grandfather would come
through, which was beyond helping. Fate had ordered things well.

Then I fell to applauding, while the captain tried on (for he was not
content with holding up) another frock of white drab, which, cuffs and
pockets, I'll take my oath mounted no less than twenty-four: another
plain one of pink cut-velvet; tail-coats of silk, heavily broidered with
flowers, and satin waistcoats with narrow lace. He took an inconceivable
enjoyment out of this parade, discoursing the while, like a nobleman
with nothing but dress in his head, or, perhaps, like a mastercutter,
about the turn of this or that lapel, the length from armpit to fold,
and the number of button-holes that was proper. And finally he exhibited
with evident pride a pair of doeskins that buttoned over the calf to be
worn with high shoes, which I make sure he would have tried on likewise
had he been offered the slightest encouragement. So he exploited the
whole of his wardrobe, such an unlucky assortment of finery as I never
wish to see again; all of which, however, became him marvellously,
though I think he had looked well in anything. I hope I may be forgiven
the perjury I did that day. I wondered greatly that such a foible should
crop out in a man of otherwise sound sense and plain ability.

At length, when the last chest was shut again and locked, and I had
exhausted my ingenuity at commendation, and my patience also, he turned
to me as a man come out of a trance.

"Od's fish, Mr. Carvel," he cried, "you will be starved. I had forgot
your state."

I owned that hunger had nigh overcome me, whereupon he became very
solicitous, bade the boy bring in supper at once, and in a short time
we sat down together to the best meal I had seen for a month. It seemed
like a year. Porridge, and bacon nicely done, and duff and ale, with the
sea rushing past the cabin windows as we ate,