They went off side by side in the cab, both of 'em sitting bolt-upright, and only turning their 'eads at the last moment to give us looks we didn't want. 

     "I don't wish her no 'arm," ses the skipper, arter thinking for a long time.  "Was that the fust letter you 'ad from 'er, Bill?" 

     "Fust and last," I ses, grinding my teeth. 

 

 

     "I hope they won't meet 'er, pore thing," he ses. 

     "I've been married longer than wot you have," I ses, "and I tell you one thing. It won't make no difference to us whether they do or they don't,"     I ses. 

     And it didn't. 

 Prev. P 10/10