d noticed the air of artless astonishment with which she was regarding
him.

"Always was from a child," she quoted.

The captain ignored her.

"I'll just give Walters a note," he said, turning to Hartley with some
dignity. "You don't mind his waiting?"

He turned to a small writing-table, and with an air of preoccupation,
assumed for Miss Hartley's benefit, began to try a pen on his
thumb-nail. Hartley, going to the door, sent the boatswain off to the
kitchen for a glass of ale.

"Or perhaps you prefer tea?" he added, thoughtfully.

"Ale will do, sir," said Mr. Walters, humbly.

He walked to the kitchen, and, pushing the door open softly, went in.
Rosa Jelks, who was sitting down reading, put aside her book and smiled
welcome.

"Sit down," she said, patronizingly; "sit down."

"I was going to," said Mr. Walters. "I'm to 'ave a glass of ale."

"Say 'please,'" said Rosa, shaking her yellow locks at him, and rising
to take a glass from the dresser.

She walked into the scullery humming a tune, and the pleasant sound of
beer falling into a glass fell on the boatswain's ears. He stroked his
small black moustache and smiled.

"Would you like me to take a sip at the glass first?" inquired Rosa,
coming back carefully with a brimming glass, "just to give it a
flavour?"

Mr. Walters stared at her in honest amazement. After a moment he
remarked gruffly that the flavour of the ale itself was good enough for
him. Rosa's eyes sparkled.

"Just a sip," she pleaded.

"Go on, then," said Mr. Walters, grudgingly.

"Chin, chin!" said Rosa.

The boatswain's face relaxed. Then it hardened suddenly and a dazed
look crept into his eyes as Rosa, drinking about two-thirds of the ale,
handed him the remainder.

"That's for your impudence," she said, sharply. "I don't like beer."

Mr. Walters, still dazed, finished the beer without a word and placed
the glass on the table. A faint sigh escaped him, but that was all.

"Bear!" said Rosa, making a face at him.

She looked at his strong, lean face and powerful figure approvingly, but
the bereaved boatswain took no notice.

"Bear!" said Rosa again.

She patted her hair into place, and, in adjusting a hair-pin, permitted
a long, thick tress to escape to her shoulder. She uttered a little
squeal of dismay.

"False, ain't it?" inquired Mr. Walters, regarding her antics with some
amazement.

"False!" exclaimed Rosa. "Certainly not. Here! Tug!"

She presented her shoulder