"
The second mate coughed, but Bill could see as 'e was a bit pleased.
"The feeling came over me," says Bill, "that when I leave the sea for
good I'd like to 'ave something o' yours to remember you by, sir. And it
seemed to me that if I 'ad your--mattress I should think of you ev'ry
night o' my life."
"My wot?" says the second mate, staring at 'im. "Your mattress, sir,"
says Bill. "If I might make so bold as to offer a pound for it, sir. I
want something wot's been used by you, and I've got a fancy for that as a
keepsake." The second mate shook 'is 'ead. "I'm sorry, Bill," 'e says,
gently, "but I couldn't let it go at that."
"I'd sooner pay thirty shillin's than not 'ave it, sir," says Bill,
'umbly.
"I gave a lot of money for that mattress," says the mate, ag'in. "I
forgit 'ow much, but a lot. You don't know 'ow valuable that mattress
is."
"I know it's a good one, sir, else you wouldn't 'ave it," says Bill.
"Would a couple o' pounds buy it, sir?"
The second mate hum'd and ha'd, but Bill was afeard to go any 'igher.
Pages:
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26