Part 8 (1/2)

”And they wouldn't do it if Mr. Porterfield was round!”

”Isn't that just where your confusion comes in?” I made answer. ”It's public enough that Miss Mavis and Mr. Nettlepoint are always together, but it isn't in the least public that she's going to be married.”

”Why how can you say--when the very sailors know it! The Captain knows it and all the officers know it. They see them there, especially at night, when they're sailing the s.h.i.+p.”

”I thought there was some rule--!” submitted Mrs. Gotch.

”Well, there is--that you've got to behave yourself,” Mrs. Peck explained. ”So the Captain told me--he said they have some rule. He said they have to have, when people are too undignified.”

”Is that the term he used?” I inquired.

”Well, he may have said when they attract too much attention.”

I ventured to discriminate. ”It's we who attract the attention--by talking about what doesn't concern us and about what we really don't know.”

”She said the Captain said he'd tell on her as soon as ever we arrive,”

Mrs. Gotch none the less serenely pursued.

”_She_ said--?” I repeated, bewildered.

”Well, he did say so, that he'd think it his duty to inform Mr.

Porterfield when he comes on to meet her--if they keep it up in the same way,” said Mrs. Peck.

”Oh they'll keep it up, don't you fear!” one of the gentlemen exclaimed.

”Dear madam, the Captain's having his joke on you,” was, however, my own congruous reply.

”No, he ain't--he's right down scandalised. He says he regards us all as a real family and wants the family not to be downright coa.r.s.e.” I felt Mrs. Peck irritated by my controversial tone: she challenged me with considerable spirit. ”How can you say I don't know it when all the street knows it and has known it for years--for years and years?” She spoke as if the girl had been engaged at least for twenty. ”What's she going out for if not to marry him?”

”Perhaps she's going to see how he looks,” suggested one of the gentlemen.

”He'd look queer--if he knew.”

”Well, I guess he'll know,” said Mrs. Gotch.

”She'd tell him herself--she wouldn't be afraid,” the gentleman went on.

”Well she might as well kill him. He'll jump overboard,” Mrs. Peck could foretell.

”Jump overboard?” cried Mrs. Gotch as if she hoped then that Mr.

Porterfield would be told.

”He has just been waiting for this--for long, long years,” said Mrs.

Peck.

”Do you happen to know him?” I asked.

She replied at her convenience. ”No, but I know a lady who does. Are you going up?”