said Saltash practically. "You'll talk better
with something inside you."

He seated himself on the edge of his bunk and lit another cigarette, his
attitude one of royal indifference, but his odd eyes flashing to and fro
with a monkey-like shrewdness that missed nothing of his desolate
companion's forlorn state.

"You've been doing this starvation business for some time, haven't you?"
he asked presently. "No wonder you didn't feel like work."

The boy's pinched face smiled, a small wistful smile. "I can work," he
said. "I can do anything--women's work as well as men's. I can cook and
clean boots and knives and sew on buttons and iron trousers and wash
shirts and wait on tables and make beds and sweep and--"

"For heaven's sake, stop!" said Saltash. "You make me giddy. Tell me the
things you can't do instead! It would take less time."

Toby considered for a few moments. "I can't drive cars," he said at
length. "But I can clean 'em, and I'd love to learn."

Saltash laughed. "That's the sole exception, is it? You seem to have
picked up a good deal in a short time. Did they teach you all that over
there?"

Toby shook his head. "I've knocked about a good lot," he said.

"And know everything evidently," said Saltash. "What made you think of
coming on board this yacht?"

The boy's eyes gave him a shining look. "Because she belongs to you," he
said.

"Oh!" Saltash puffed at his cigarette for a few seconds. "You'd made up
your mind to throw in your fortunes with mine, had you?"

Toby nodded. "I wanted to--if you'd have me."

"Seems I haven't much choice," remarked Saltash. "And what are you going
to do when you're tired of me? Fling yourself at someone else's head, I
suppose?"

Again he saw the hot colour flood the thin face, but the boyish eyes did
not flinch from his. "No, I shan't do that," said Toby, after brief
reflection. "I'll just go right under next time."

"Oh, will you?" said Saltash. "And so remain--a blot on my escutcheon for
all time. Well now, look here! You say you're honest?"

"Yes, sir," said Toby with breathless assurance, and sprang up and stood
before him with the words, as though challenging criticism.

Saltash poked at him with his foot, as he sat. "Make me a promise?" he
asked casually.

"Anything you wish, my lord," said Toby promptly.

Saltash grinned at him. "Be careful! I see you are of a rash and
impulsive disposition, and I like my slaves to have a little discretion.
The promi