"There's a great club being built at the far end of Castle Street, and
there'll be a lot of gas and light about, and the gentlemen will want
their papers. I can buy a boat for you there for ten shillings, Bet,
and you can earn a tidy penny. What with that, and what I can send you
from sea, you and the lads won't fare so bad."
Bet smiled at these words, and was somewhat comforted--she had no idea
of being a burden on the man who was to be her mate, and in particular
was determined to support Nat and Thady entirely by her own exertions.
After a great deal of consultation, it was decided that during Will's
first voyage after their wedding Bet was to remain in Paradise Row
with Mother Bunch. This worthy Irishwoman took an enormous fancy to
Will, clapping him on the back, cheering him on with his wooing, and
assuring him that that "purty darling blossom of a wife of his" should
be her first care, day and night, all the time the waves were washing
under him; "and not a hair of her head should be hurt," said Mother
Bunch--"and them mischeevous little varmints of hers shall come to no
harm, naythur,--oh, will ye then, ye rogues! Why then 'tis you that
bates the heart out of Molly O'Flaherty entirely.
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