"Anyone could see it," he added.
"The question is what's to be done?" said the skipper.
"That's the question," said the mate guardedly.
"I feel that worried," said Evans, "that I've actually thought of
getting into collision, or running the ship ashore. Fancy them two women
meeting at Llandalock."
Such a sudden light broke in upon the square head of the mate, that he
nearly whistled with the brightness of it.
"But you ain't engaged to this one?" he cried.
"We're to be married in August," said the skipper desperately. "That's
my ring on her finger."
"But you're going to marry Mary Jones in September," expostulated the
mate. "You can't marry both of 'em."
"That's what I say," replied Evans; "that's what I keep telling myself,
but it don't seem to bring much comfort. I'm too soft-'earted where
wimmen is concerned, Bill, an' that's the truth of it. D'reckly I get
alongside of a nice gal my arm goes creeping round her before I know
what it's doing."
"What on earth made you bring the girl on the ship?" inquired the mate.
"The other one's sure to be on the quay to meet you as usual."
"I couldn't help it," groaned the skipper; "she would come; she can be
very determined when she likes. She's awful gone on me, Bill."
"So's the other one apparently," said the mate.
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