a pinch," said the mate hardily.

Still the ladies said nothing, but there was a storm-signal hoisted in
Mrs. Bunnett's cheek, which boded no good to her husband. There was room
only for one trunk in the state-room, and by prompt generalship Mrs.
Fillson got hers in first. Having seen it safe she went up on deck for a
look round.

"George," said Mrs. Bunnett fiercely, as soon as they were alone.

"Yes, my dear," said her husband.

"Pack that woman off home," said Mrs. Bunnett sharply.

"I couldn't do that," said the skipper firmly. "It's your own fault; you
should have said you was coming."

"Oh, I know you didn't want me to come," said Mrs. Bunnett, the roses on
her bonnet trembling. "The mate can think of a little pleasure for _his_
wife, but I can stay at home and do your mending and keep the house
clean. Oh, I know; don't tell me."

"Well, it's too late to alter it," said her husband. "I must get up
above now; you'd better come too."

Mrs. Bunnett followed him on deck, and, getting as far from the mate's
wife as possible, watched with a superior air of part ownership the
movements of the seamen as they got under way. A favorable westerly
breeze was blowing, and the canvas once set she stood by her husband
as he pointed out the various objects of interest on the banks of the
river.

They were still in the thick of the traffic at dinner time, so that the
skipper was able, to his secret relief, to send the mate below to do the
honours of the table. He came up from it pale and scared, and, catching
the skipper's eye, hunched his shoulders significantly.

"No words?" inquired the latter anxiously, in a half-whisper.

"Not exactly words," replied the mate. "What you might call snacks."

"I know," said the other with a groan.

"If you don't now," said the mate, "you will at tea time. I'm not going
to sit down there with them again alone. You needn't think it. If you
was to ask me what I've been eating I couldn't tell you."

He moved off a bit as his table companions came up on deck, and the
master of the _Foam_ deciding to take the bull by the horns, called
both of them to him, and pointed out the beauties of the various passing
craft. In the midst of his dis-course his wife moved off, leaving the
unhappy man conversing alone with Mrs. Fillson, her face containing an
expression such as is seen in the prints of the very best of martyrs as
she watched them.

At tea time the men sat in misery, Mrs. Bunnett p