what I'm
ordering you to do ain't a marker to what you'd be doing if you were out
there in lifeboats, eight hundred miles from shore, and--well, we won't
go into that. We've got to make the best of it, my friends. We're up
against it good and plenty, that's the plain facts of the case. There's
no use in me saying it's all going to turn out right in a day or so,
because I don't know a da--- blamed thing about it. We're in God's
hands. Maybe it will help to pray, but I doubt it. All I've got to say
is this: go down on your knees as much as you like, but don't lick!"

Signor Joseppi lifted his voice, but not in song. In very bad English he
wanted to know how long the Captain thought it would be before they were
rescued, and when he was informed that it might not be for weeks or even
months, he cried out in worse English that he was ruined. He would have
to violate his contract! No impressario would think of engaging him
again! His wonderful American tour! If he was not rescued within a
week--Oh, my God, the consequences! He did not regret the paltry two
thousand a week--for thirty weeks--but to violate a contract!

Mr. Mott looked rather helpless. He appreciated the fact that Signor
Joseppi was a very great personage, but what was he saying? Was
it--could it be mutiny?

"I'm sorry, Mr. Joseppi," he broke in, "but if Madame Amori is willing
to take her regular turn at making up berths, I guess it won't hurt you
to help every now and then in the dining-room."

Signor Joseppi did not understand a word of it. He turned to the man at
his elbow for enlightenment.

"What did he say?" he whispered.

"He says you have a perfectly marvellous voice and that he'd give two
thousand any time to hear you sing," replied his neighbour in excellent
Italian.

Whereupon the Signor favoured the severe-looking Mr. Mott with a beaming
smile and as deep a bow as he could make in such close quarters.

"A most courteous officer," he said to his neighbour. "It will be a joy
to serve him, my friend. We should, one and all, do what he asks of us,
no matter how mean the task. I, Joseppi,--you have heard of Joseppi, my
friend?--I shall be the example for all of you. Should he say, 'Wash
the dishes, Joseppi,' then will I wash the dishes. I, Joseppi, who never
washed a dish in his life. Should he say, 'Cook the meals, Joseppi,'
then will Joseppi, who never cooked a thing in his life, then will
Joseppi cook the meals. Should he say, 'Joseppi, scru