Not that
the captain gave them much time to contemplate the state of things at
their ease, for he instantly whipped them into a chaise again, and bore
them off to Steepways. Although the afternoon was but just beginning to
decline when they reached it, and it was broad day-light, still they had
no difficulty, by dint of muffing the returned sailor up, and ascending
the village rather than descending it, in reaching Tregarthen's cottage
unobserved. Kitty was not visible, and they surprised Tregarthen sitting
writing in the small bay-window of his little room.
"Sir," said the captain, instantly shaking hands with him, pen and all,
"I'm glad to see you, sir. How do you do, sir? I told you you'd think
better of me by-and-by, and I congratulate you on going to do it."
Here the captain's eye fell on Tom Pettifer Ho, engaged in preparing some
cookery at the fire.
"That critter," said the captain, smiting his leg, "is a born steward,
and never ought to have been in any other way of life. Stop where you
are, Tom, and make yourself useful. Now, Tregarthen, I'm going to try a
chair.
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