Prudence, however, began to operate within him. He felt that he had done wrong; but it was too late now, he thought, to retrace his steps. He would, however, be on his guard; would not encourage the slightest familiarity on the part of any one, and would keep his eyes open. For a youth who had seen nothing of the world this was a highly commendable resolve.
Whatll you drink? asked Mr Sloper.
Miles was on the point of saying Coffee, but, reflecting that the beverage might not be readily obtainable in such a place, he substituted Beer.
Instead of calling the waiter, Mr Sloper went himself to the bar to fetch the liquor. While he was thus engaged, Miles glanced round the room, and was particularly struck with the appearance of a large, fine-looking sailor who sat at the small table next to him, with hands thrust deep into his trousers-pockets, his chin resting on his broad chest, and a solemn, owlish stare in his semi-drunken yet manly countenance. He sat alone, and was obviously in a very sulky frame of minda condition which he occasionally indicated through a growl of dissatisfaction.
As Miles sat wondering what could have upset the temper of a tar whose visage was marked by the unmistakable lines and dimples of good-humour, he overheard part of the conversation that passed between the barman and Mr Sloper.
What! have they got hold o Rattling Bill? asked the former, as he drew the beer.
Ay, worse luck, returned Sloper. I saw the sergeant as I came along lead him over to Miss Robinsons trapconfound her!
Dont you go fur to say anything agin Miss Robinson, old man, suddenly growled the big sailor, in a voice so deep and strong that it silenced for a moment the rest of the company. Leastways, you may if you like, but if you do, Ill knock in your daylights, an polish up your figur-head so as your own mother would mistake you fur a battered saucepan!
The seaman did not move from his semi-recumbent position as he uttered this alarming threat, but he accompanied it with a portentous frown and an owlish wink of both eyes.
What! have you joined the Blue Lights? asked Sloper, with a smile, referring to the name by which the religious and temperance men of the army were known.
No, I hant. Better for me, praps, if I had. Here, waiter, fetch me another gin-an-warer. An more o the gin than the warer, mind. Heave ahead or Ill sink you!
Having been supplied with a fresh dose of gin and water, the seaman appeared to go to sleep, and Miles, for want of anything better to do, accepted Slopers invitation to play a game of dominoes.
Are the beds here pretty good? he asked, as they were about to begin.
Yes, first-ratefor the money, answered Sloper.
Thats a lie! growled the big sailor. Theyre bad at any pricestuffed wi cocoa-nuts and marline-spikes.
Mr Sloper received this observation with the smiling urbanity of a man who eschews war at all costs.
You dont drink, he said after a time, referring to Miless pot of beer, which he had not yet touched.
Miles made no reply, but by way of answer took up the pot and put it to his lips.
He had not drunk much of it when the big seaman rose hurriedly and staggered between the two tables. In doing so, he accidentally knocked the pot out of the youths hand, and sent the contents into Mr Slopers face and down into his bosom, to the immense amusement of the company.
That man of peace accepted the baptism meekly, but Miles sprang up in sudden anger.
The seaman turned to him, however, with a benignantly apologetic smile.
Hallo! messmate. I ax your parding. They dont leave room even for a scarecrow to go about in this here cabin. Ill stand you another glass. Give us your flipper!
There was no resisting this, it was said so heartily. Miles grasped the huge hand that was extended and shook it warmly.
All right, he said, laughing. I dont mind the beer, and theres plenty more where that came from, but I fear you have done some damage to my fr
Your friend. Out with it, sir. Never be ashamed to acknowledge your friends, exclaimed the shabby man, as he wiped his face. Hold on a bit, he added, rising; Ill have to change my shirt. Wont keep you waitin long.
Another pot o beer for this ere genlemn, said the sailor to the barman as Sloper left the room.
Paying for the drink, he returned and put the pot on the table. Then, turning to Miles, he said in a low voice and with an intelligent look
Come outside for a bit, messmate. I wants to speak to ee.
Miles rose and followed the man in much surprise.
Youll excuse me, sir, he said, when a few yards away from the door; but I see that youre green, an dont know what a rascally place youve got into. Ive been fleeced there myself, and yet Im fool enough to go back! Most o the parties thereexcept the sailors an sodgersare thieves an blackguards. Theyve drugged your beer, I know; thats why I capsized it for you, and the feller that has got hold o you is a well-known decoy-duck. I dont know how much of the ready you may have about you, but this I does know, whether it be much or little, you wouldnt have a rap of it in the mornin if you stayed the night in this here house.
Are you sure of this, friend? asked Miles, eyeing his companion doubtfully.
Ay, as sure as I am that my names Jack Molloy.
But youve been shamming drunk all this time. How am I to know that you are not shamming friendship now?
No, young man, returned the seaman with blinking solemnity. Im not shammin drunk. I ony wish I was, for Im three sheets in the wind at this minute, an Ive a splittin headache due i the mornin. The way as youve got to find out whether Im fair an above-board is to look me straight in the face an dont wink. If that dont settle the question, praps itll convince you wen I tells you that I dont care a rap whether you go back to that there grog-shop or not. Only Ill clear my conscienceleastways, wots left of itby tellin ye that if you doyouyoull wish as how you hadntsupposin they leave you the power to wish anything at all.
Well, I believe you are a true man, Mister Molloy
Dont Mister me, mate, interrupted the seaman.
My names Jack Molloy, at your service, an that name dont require no handleeither Mister or Esquireto prop it up.
The way in which the sailor squared his broad shoulders when he said this rendered it necessary to prop himself up. Seeing which, Miles afforded the needful aid by taking his arm in a friendly way.
But come, let us go back, he said. I must pay for my beer, you know.
Your beer is paid for, young man, said Molloy, stopping and refusing to move. I paid for it, so youve ony got to settle with me. Besides, if you go back youre done for. And youve no call to go back to say farewell to your dear friend Sloper, for hell ony grieve over the loss of your tin. As to the unpurliteness o the partinhe wont break his heart over that. Noyoull come wi me down to the Sailors Welcome near the dock-gates, where you can get a good bed for sixpence a night, a heavy blow-out for tenpence, with a splendid readin-room, full o rockin chairs, an all the rest of it for nothin. An theres a lavatorythats the name that they give to a place for cleanin of yourself upa lavatorywhere you can wash yourself, if you like, till your skin comes off! Wen I first putt up at the Welcome, the messmate as took me there said to me, says he, Jack, says he, you was always fond o water. Right you are, says I. Well, says he, theres a place in the Sailors Welcome where you can wash yourself all day, if you like, for nothing!