However he didn't give me a chance to make that sort of fool
of myself because before I could open my mouth he had gone round on
another tack and was addressing himself affably to Mr. Powell who
swinging his leg never took his eyes off me.
"I'll take your young friend willingly, Mr. Powell. If you let him sign
on as second-mate at once I'll take the Articles away with me now."
"It suddenly dawned upon me that the innocent skipper of the _Ferndale_
had taken it for granted that I was a relative of the Shipping Master! I
was quite astonished at this discovery, though indeed the mistake was
natural enough under the circumstances. What I ought to have admired was
the reticence with which this misunderstanding had been established and
acted upon. But I was too stupid then to admire anything. All my
anxiety was that this should be cleared up. I was ass enough to wonder
exceedingly at Mr. Powell failing to notice the misapprehension. I saw a
slight twitch come and go on his face; but instead of setting right that
mistake the Shipping Master swung round on his stool and addressed me as
'Charles.
Pages:
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40