"Now, Miles," she said, in an under tone, "_you_ must 'speak that
sloop,' as you call it; I can never hold a loud conversation of this
sort, in the presence of so many strangers."
"Very willingly, Lucy; though you will have the goodness to let me
know exactly what I am to say."
"Certainly--begin then, in your sailor fashion, and when that is done,
I will tell you what to add."
"Enough--Orpheus, there?" I called out, just raising my voice
sufficiently to be heard.
"Ay, ay,--what's wanted?" answered the skipper, taking a pipe from his
mouth, as he leaned with his back against his own tiller, in a way
that was just in accordance with the sleepy character of the scene.
I looked at Lucy, as much as to say, "what next?"
"Ask him if Mrs. Drewett is on board his sloop--_Mrs._ Andrew
Drewett, not _Mr._--The old lady, I mean," added the dear girl,
blushing to the eyes.
I was so confounded--I might almost add appalled, that it was with
great difficulty I suppressed an exclamation. Command myself, I did,
however, and observing that the skipper was curiously awaiting my next
question, I put it.
"Is _Mrs_. Andrew Drewett among your passengers, sir?" I
inquired with a cold distinctness.
My neighbour nodded his head, and spoke to some of his passengers,
most of whom were on the main-deck, seated on chairs, and concealed
from us, as yet, by the Wallingford's main-sail, her boom being guyed
out on the side next the Orpheus, with its end just clear of her
quarter.
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