Talk about acting!"
"Is she what you'd call a good-looking woman?" inquired Crippen.
"Very handsome!" said Pepper, looking out of the window.
"I couldn't do it!" said the captain. "It wouldn't be right and fair to
her."
"I don't see that!" said Pepper. "I never ought to have married her
without being certain her first was dead. It ain't right, Crippen; say
what you like, it ain't right!"
"If you put it that way," said the captain hesitatingly.
"Have some more gin," said the artful pilot.
The captain had some more, and, what with flattery and gin, combined
with the pleadings of his friend, began to consider the affair more
favourably. Pepper stuck to his guns, and used them so well that when
the captain saw him off that evening he was pledged up to the hilt to
come down to Sunset Bay and personate the late Captain Budd on the
following Thursday.
The ex-pilot passed the intervening days in a sort of trance, from which
he only emerged to take nourishment, or answer the scoldings of his
wife. On the eventful Thursday, however, his mood changed, and he went
about in such a state of suppressed excitement that he could scarcely
keep still.
"Lor' bless me!" snapped Mrs. Pepper, as he slowly perambulated the
parlour that afternoon.
Pages:
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222