"I told her how it would
be. And it was so gradual; he admired my geraniums at first, and, of
course, I was deceived. There are so many people admire my geraniums;
whether it is because the window has a south aspect"--
"Oh!" said the captain rudely, "that'll do, Jane. If he wasn't a lawyer,
I'd go round and break his neck. Chrissie is only nineteen, and she'll
come for a year's cruise with me. Perhaps the sea air'll strengthen her
head. We'll see who's master in this family."
"I'm sure I don't want to be master," said his daughter, taking a weapon
of fine cambric out of her pocket, and getting ready for action. "I
can't help liking people. Auntie likes him too, don't you, auntie?"
"Yes," said Miss Polson bravely.
"Very good," said the autocrat promptly, "I'll take you both for a
cruise."
"You're making me very un--unhappy," said Chrissie, burying her face in
her handkerchief.
"You'll be more unhappy before I've done with you," said the captain
grimly. "And while I think of it, I'll step round and stop those banns."
His daughter caught him by the arm as he was passing, and laid her face
on his sleeve. "You'll make me look so foolish," she wailed.
"That'll make it easier for you to come to sea with me," said her
father. "Don't cry all over my sleeve.
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