Part 61 (2/2)
”No, that he hasn't.”
”Well, I haven't got any razors like you fellows have,” I retorted. ”I say, Tanner, have you stropped yours up lately? Smithy's are getting rusty with the sea air.”
”You're getting rusty with the sea air,” grumbled Smith, who was very proud of the possession of a pair of razors with Sunday and Monday etched on the blades. He had once or twice shown them to me, saying that they were a present from his father, who was going to leave him the other five, which completed the days of the week, in his will.
I remember how I offended him at the time by saying--
”Well, that will be quite as soon as you want them.”
”Look here,” said Smith rather haughtily, after a look at Barkins; ”we've been talking this business over, and it is time it was stopped.”
”What do you mean?” I said.
”Oh, you know well enough. You came on board the _Teaser_ to take your place as an officer and a gentleman, and we your seniors received you in a gentlemanly way.”
”Yes, you were right enough,” I said. ”A bit c.o.c.ky and bounceable at first, till you found that I wouldn't stand it, and then you were both civil.”
”Well, I _am_ blessed!” cried Barkins, blowing out his cheeks and looking down at me. ”Of all the impudent little c.o.c.kboats of boys you are about the most cheeky. Pretty strong turn that for a Gnat, Smithy.”
”Yes; we shall have to put him down, and the sooner the better. Will you speak to him, or shall I?”
”Oh, I'm just in the humour for it,” said Barkins; ”so I'll give him his dose at once. Look here, young fellow: as aforesaid, when you interrupted, we received you as gentlemen should, and have taken great care of you, and tried to smooth you down into something like a budding officer.”
”Thank you,” I said humbly; ”I'm so grateful.”
”And so you ought to be, sir. But look here, what in the name of thunder do you mean by forsaking us and taking to bad company?”
”Who does?”
”Why, you do, sir. Smithy and I talked it over last night, and we both agreed that you're never happy unless you're along with the forecastle Jacks, or sneaking about with old Ching.”
”Get out!” I said indignantly.
”None of your impudence, sir, because that won't do. It's come to this: either you've got to give up low society, or high.”
”Which is which?” I said.
”What?”
”I said which is which? Do you mean you two fellows are high society?”
”Do you hear this beggar, Smithy?”
”Oh yes, I hear him. Isn't it awful to find so much depravity in such a small body? But keep him to it, and make him speak. He has got to choose.”
”Yes, you've got to choose, Gnat. We can't have a brother officer always a.s.sociating with the low Chinee.”
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