“‘I’m no mischief-maker,’ he ses; ’and, besides, p’r’aps he’s been punished enough.  And as far as I’m concerned he can take this lady to a music-’all every night of the week if ‘e likes.  I’ve done with her.’

“There was an eggsterrordinary noise from where my missis was standing; like the gurgling water makes sometimes running down the kitchen sink at ’ome, only worse.  Then they all started talking together, and ’arf-a-dozen times or more Miss Lamb called me to back ’er up in wot she was saying, but I only shook my ’ead, and at last, arter tossing her ’ead at Cap’n Tarbell and telling ’im she wouldn’t ’ave ’im if he’d got fifty million a year, the five of ’em ’eld my missis while she went off.

“They gave ‘er ten minutes’ start, and then Cap’n Tarbell, arter looking at me and shaking his ’ead, said he was afraid they must be going.

“’And I ‘ope this night’ll be a lesson to you,’ he ses.  ’Don’t neglect your dooty again.  I shall keep my eye on you, and if you be’ave yourself I sha’n’t say anything.  Why, for all you know or could ha’ done the wharf might ha’ been burnt to the ground while you was away!’

“He nodded to his crew, and they all walked out laughing and left me alone—­with the missis.”