Part 31 (1/2)
”What nonsense! Well, go on, boy”
”And a big rough-headed Scotch lad, after annoying you in all kinds of ways, hit you in amanner What would you do?”
”I'd try and knock his head off!” cried the doctor hotly ”I--that is-- Ithe boy! How stupid of me!
I mean I think I should have coged”
”Captains on board shi+ps like this can't have the boys flogged,” said Steve drily
”Punished, then”
”You said what you would do, sir, at first, and then turned it off I did the sa me”
”Well, well; yes, yes, Steve, I did; but let's leave that question alone, hly settled on account of its difficulty I don't approve of fighting, but there are times when--that is--you see it's a very aard question that we had better leave I spoke hastily, and I'ood Coerly held out his
”That's right,” said the doctor, gripping the extended palm ”And you'll take my advice?”
Steve shook his head
”I can't yet, sir”
”Steve, h rily ”I' ere co off the ice”
”My head's quite hot, sir; but it does feel as if it were cold”
”Of course Nerves, Steve, nerves; unwonted excite into the cabin Now's your tio now Here, I'll run and tell him you want to speak to him”
”No, sir; pray don't”
The door opened, and Captain Marsham came in quickly
”Come on deck, Handsob,” he said, as he stood at the door putting on a pea-jacket ”You had better have a coat, for there is a ree The wind has turned nearly due north, and I' to have a heavy snow-blast Quick! the change is worth seeing”
He did not even glance at Steve, but turned away, and the doctor followed, to stop at the door
”There, go and wash yourself, et this over; we have no ti here on board shi+p”
He hurried out, and left Steve in the cabin alone with his bitter thoughts
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
NATURE IN THE NORTH