Both of them looked funny. It was as if something had happened to
them on the way. Neither of them moved, and I stood by waiting. The
captain showed himself on the poop; and I saw him at the side looking
over, and then he disappeared; on the way to meet them on shore, I
expected. But he just went down below again. So, not seeing him, I
said: "Let me help you on board, sir." "On board!" says he in a silly
fashion. "On board!" "It's not a very good ladder, but it's quite
firm," says I, as he seemed to be afraid of it. And he didn't look a
broken-down old man, either. You can see yourself what he is. Straight
as a poker, and life enough in him yet. But he made no move, and I began
to feel foolish. Then she comes forward. "Oh! Thank you, Mr. Franklin.
I'll help my father up." Flabbergasted me--to be choked off like this.
Pushed in between him and me without as much as a look my way. So of
course I dropped it. What do you think? I fell back. I would have gone
up on board at once and left them on the quay to come up or stay there
till next week, only they were blocking the way.
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