its. Glynn and the doctor and Tim Rokens and the two mates, Millons
and Markham, supped with him, also in low spirits; and King Bumble acted
the part of waiter, for that sable monarch had expressed an earnest
desire to become Captain Dunning's servant, and the captain had agreed
to "take him on," at least for a time. King Bumble was also in low
spirits; and, as a natural consequence, so were Aunts Martha and Jane
and little Ailie. It seemed utterly incomprehensible to the males of
the party, how so good a case as this should come to wear such an
unpromising aspect.

"The fact is," said the captain, at the conclusion of a prolonged
discussion, "I don't believe we'll gain it."

"Neither do I," said the doctor, helping himself to a large quantity of
salad, as if that were the only comfort now left to him, and he meant to
make the most of it before giving way to total despair.

"I knew it," observed Aunt Martha firmly. "I always said the law was a
wicked institution."

"It's a great shame!" said Aunt Jane indignantly; "but what could we
expect? It treats every one ill."

"Won't it treat Captain Dixon well, if he wins, aunt?" inquired Ailie.

"Dear child, what can you possibly know about law?" said Aunt Martha.

"Would you like a little more tart?" asked Aunt Jane.

"Bravo! Ailie," cried Glynn, "that's a fair question. I back it up."

"How much do you claim for damages, George?" inquired Aunt Martha,
changing the subject.

("Question!" whispered Glynn.)

"Two thousand pounds," answered the captain.

"What!" exclaimed the aunts, in a simultaneous burst of amazement. "All
for _one_ fish?"

"Ay, it was a big one, you see, and Dick Jones, one of the men of the
_Termagant_, told me it was sold for that. It's a profitable fishing,
when one doesn't lose one's ship. What do you say to go with me and
Ailie on our next trip, sisters? You might use up all your silk and
worsted thread and crooked pins."

"What nonsense you talk, George; but I suppose you really do use pretty
large hooks and lines when you fish for whales?"

Aunt Martha addressed the latter part of her remark to Tim Rokens, who
seemed immensely tickled by the captain's pleasantry.

"Hooks and lines, ma'am!" cried Rokens, regarding his hostess with a
look of puzzled surprise.

"To be sure we do," interrupted Glynn; "we use anchors baited with live
crocodiles--sometimes elephants, when we can't get crocodiles. But
hippopotamuses do best."