"If you'd only come before, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper. "Who was he? What
was his name?"
"Smith," said the cautious captain.
"If you'd only come before, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper, in a smothered
voice, "it would have been better. Only three months ago I married that
object over there."
The captain attempted a melodramatic start with such success, that,
having somewhat underestimated the weight of his fair bride, he nearly
lost his balance.
"It can't be helped, I suppose," he said reproachfully, "but you might
have waited a little longer, Martha."
"Well, I'm your wife, anyhow," said Martha, "and I'll take care I never
lose you again. You shall never go out of my sight again till you die.
Never."
"Nonsense, my pet," said the captain, exchanging uneasy glances with the
ex-pilot. "Nonsense."
"It isn't nonsense, Jem," said the lady, as she drew him on to the sofa
and sat with her arms round his neck. "It may be true, all you've told
me, and it may not. For all I know, you may have been married to some
other woman; but I've got you now, and I intend to keep you."
"There, there," said the captain, as soothingly as a strange sinking at
the heart would allow him.
"As for that other little man, I only married him because he worried me
so," said Mrs.
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