never spik against Captain ‘Arrees again, menma.”
“I never will,” the poor child said; yet I saw her wince whenever the captain raised that hoarse voice of his in more and more blasphemous exhortation; and I began to fear with Ready that the man was drunk.
My eyes were still upon my darling, devouring her, revelling in her, when suddenly I saw her hand twitch within her stepfather’s arm. It was an answering start to one on his part. The cigarette was snatched from his lips. There was a commotion
he died before I can remember. That man only married my poor mother. He sympathizes with Captain Harris - against me; no father would do that. Look at them together now! And you take his side, too; oh! I have no patience with any of you - except poor Mr. Ready in his berth.”
“But you are not going.”
“Indeed