"
When they were alone once more, in the captain's room, Pearson vented
his indignation.
"Why didn't you give them as good as they sent?" he demanded. "Couldn't
you see they were doing their best to hurt your feelings?"
"Ya-as. I could see it. Didn't need any specs to see that."
"Then why didn't you answer them as they deserved?"
"Oh, I don't know. What's the use? They've got troubles of their own.
One of 'em's a used-to-be, and the other's a never-was. Either disease
is bad enough without addin' complications."
Pearson laughed. "I don't get the whole of that, Captain," he said.
"Mrs. Van is the used-to-be, I suppose. But what is it that Miss
Sherborne never was?"
"Married," was the prompt reply. "Old maiditis is creepin' on her fast.
You want to be careful, Jim; a certain kind of female gets desperate
about her stage."
Pearson laughed again.
"Oh, get out!" he exclaimed, turning to go.
"All right! I will, when you and she are together and you give me the
signal. But I tell you honest, I'd hate to do it. Judgin' by the way she
smiles and looks up under her eye-winkers at you, you're in danger
of kidnappin'. So long. I'll see you again after I get my dunnage
unpacked."
The snubbing and sneering came to an abrupt end.
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