"Why, I never said a word. I was merely sitting here, being sweetly
lured on by promises of peace on earth and all the rest of it, when
suddenly you began to call me names."
"Hardly that, I am sure."
"Well, you said I was horrible, or that I had a horrible way about me,
which is the same thing. I wish my bungalow were up. I'd move
to-morrow."
But her twitching lips belied her words, and the next moment the man was
more uncomfortable than ever, being made so by her laughter.
"I was only teasing you. Honest Injun. And if you don't laugh I'll
suspect you of being in a temper with me. That's right, laugh. But
don't--" she added in alarm, "don't if it hurts you. You look as though
you had a toothache. There, there--don't say it. You know you promised
not to quarrel, while I have the privilege of going on being as hateful
as I please. And to begin with, there's the _Flibberty-Gibbet_. I
didn't know she was so large a cutter; but she's in disgraceful
condition. Her rigging is something queer, and the next sharp squall
will bring her head-gear all about the shop. I watched Noa Noah's face
as we sailed past. He didn't say anything. He just sneered. And I
don't blame him."
"Her skipper's rotten bad with fever," Sheldon explained.
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