"Very
near, miss," I said.
"Better bring them at once; we are sailing in the morning." She
turned away as if to avoid my thanks, but stopped and came back.
"We are taking you as a sort of extra man," she explained. "You
will work with the crew, but it is possible that we will need you--
do you know anything about butler's work?"
I hesitated. If I said yes, and then failed--
"I could try."
"I thought, from your appearance, perhaps you had done something of
the sort." Oh, shades of my medical forebears, who had bequeathed
me, along with the library, what I had hoped was a professional
manner! "The butler is a poor sailor. If he fails us, you will
take his place."
She gave a curt little nod of dismissal, and I went down the
gangplank and along the wharf. I had secured what I went for; my
summer was provided for, and I was still seven dollars to the good.
I was exultant, but with my exultation was mixed a curious anger at
McWhirter, that he had advised me not to shave that morning.
My preparation took little time. Such of my wardrobe as was worth
saving, McWhirter took charge of. I sold the remainder of my books,
and in a sailor's outfitting-shop I purchased boots and slickers--
the sailors' oil skins. With my last money I bought a good revolver,
second-hand, and cartridges.
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