Ah! I know one wholl just suit you. Up at the other end o the street. Two rooms kept by a young widow who
Hold hard there, interrupted the captain; none o your young widows for me. Theyre dangerous. Besides, big as I am, I dont want two rooms to sleep in. If you know of any old maid, now, with one roomthats what would suit me to a tee; an easy-going sort o woman, who
I know of two elderly ladies, interrupted the green-grocer, thoughtfully; theyre sisters, and have got a small room to let; butbuttheyre delicate sort o creeters, you know; have seen better days, an are raither timid, an might want a female lodger, or a man whowho
Out with it, interrupted the captain, a man who is soft-spoken and well-mannerednot a big noisy old sea-horse like me! Is that what you would say?
Just so, answered the green-grocer with an amiable nod.
Whats the name of the sisters?
Seaward.
Seaward! eh! exclaimed the captain in surprise. Thats odd, now, that a seafarin man should be sent to seaward for his lodgins, even when he gets on shore. Ha! ha! Ive always had a leanin to seaward. Ill try the sisters. They can only tell me to bout ship, you know, and be off on the other tack.
And again the captain gave such boisterous vent to his mirth that the green-grocers cat got up and walked indignantly away, for, albeit well used to the assaults of small boys, it apparently could not stand the noise of this new and bass disturber of the peace.
Having ascertained that the Misses Seaward dwelt above the shop in which he stood, Captain Bream went straight up-stairs and rapped heavily at their door.
Now, although the sisters had been gradually reduced to the extreme of poverty, they had hitherto struggled successfully against the necessity of performing what is known as the dirty work of a house. By stinting themselves in food, working hard at anything they succeeded in getting to do, and mending and re-mending their garments until it became miraculous, even to themselves, how these managed to hang together, they had, up to that period in their history, managed to pay to a slender little girl, out of their slender means, a still more slender salary for coming night and morning to clean their grate, light their fire, carry out their ashes, brush their boots, wash their door-steps, and otherwise perform work for which the sisters were peculiarly unfitted by age, training, and taste. This girls name was Liffie Lee. She was good as far as she went but she did not go far. Her goodness was not the result of principle. She had no principle; did not know what the word meant, but she had a nature, and that nature was soft, unselfish, self-oblivious,the last a blessing of incalculable price!
It was Liffie Lee who responded to Captain Breams knock. She was at the time about to leave the house in undisturbed possession of its ownersor rather, occupiers.
Does a Miss Seaward live here?
It was a dark passage, and Liffie Lee almost quaked at the depth and metallic solemnity of the voice, as she glanced up at the spot where it appeared to come from.
Yes, sir.
May I see her?
IIll see, sir, if youll wait outside, sir.
She gently yet quickly shut the door in the captains face, and next moment appeared in the little parlour with a flushed face and widely open eyes.
The biggest man she had ever seen, or heard, she said, wanted to see Miss Seaward.
Why did he want to see her and what was his name?
She didnt know, and had omitted to ask his name, having been so frightened that she had left him at the door, which she had shut against him.
An, please, Miss, continued Liffie, in a tone of suppressed eagerness, if I was you Id lock the parlour door in case he busts in the outer one. You might open the winder an screech for the pleece.
Oh! Liffie, what a frightened thing you are, remonstrated Jessie, go and show the man in at once.
Oh! no, Miss, pleaded Liffie, youd better ave im took up at once. Youve no notion what dreadful men that sort are. I know em well. Weve got some of em where we live, andand theyre awful!
Another knock at this point cut the conversation short, and Kate herself went to open the door.
May I have a word with Miss Seaward? asked the captain respectfully.
Yees, certainly, answered Kate, with some hesitation, for, although reassured by the visitors manner, his appearance and voice alarmed her too. She ushered him into the parlour, however, which was suddenly reduced to a mere bandbox by contrast with him.
Being politely asked to take a chair, he bowed and took hold of one, but on regarding its very slender proportionsit was a cane chairhe smiled and shook his head. The smile did much for him.
Pray take this one, said Jessie, pointing to the old arm-chair, which was strong enough even for him, our visitors are not usually suchsuch
Thumping walruses! out with it, Miss Seaward, said the captain, seating himselfgently, for he had suffered in this matter more than once during his lifeIm used to being found fault with for my size.
Pray do not imagine, said Jessie, hastening to exculpate herself, that I could be so very impolite asas to
Yes, yes, I know that, interrupted the captain, blowing his noseand the familiar operation was in itself something awful in such a small roomand I am too big, theres no doubt about that however, it cant be helped. I must just grin and bear it. But I came here on business, so well have business first, and pleasure, if you like, afterwards.
You may go now, said Kate at this point to Liffie Lee, who was still standing transfixed in open-mouthed amazement gazing at the visitor.
With native obedience and humility the child left the room, though anxious to see and hear more.
You have a furnished room to let I believe, ladies, said the captain, coming at once to the point.
Jessie and Kate glanced at each other. The latter felt a strong tendency to laugh, and the former replied:
We have, indeed, one small rooma very small room, in fact a mere closet with a window in the roof,which we are very anxious to let if possible to a ladyafemale. It is very poorly furnished, but it is comfortable, and we would make it very cheap. Is it about the hiring of such a room that you come?
Yes, madam, it is, said the captain, decisively.
But is the lady for whom you act, said Jessie, prepared for a particularly small room, and very poorly furnished?
Yes, she is, replied the captain with a loud guffaw that made the very windows vibrate; in fact I am the lady who wants the room. Its true Im not very lady-like, but I can say for myself that Ill give you less trouble than many a lady would, an I dont mind the cost.
Impossible! exclaimed Miss Seaward with a mingled look of amusement and perplexity which she did not attempt to conceal, while Kate laughed outright; why, sir, the room is not much, if at all, longer than yourself.
No matter, returned the captain, Im nowise particular, an Ive been recommended to come to you; so here I am, ready to strike a bargain if youre agreeable.
Pray, may I ask who recommended you? said Jessie.