I locked the gate rather earlier than usual that night. Sometimes if I'm up that end I leave it a bit late, but I didn't want Mrs. Smithers to come along and nip in without me seeing her face. 

     It was ten o'clock afore I heard the bell go, and when I opened the wicket and looked out I was surprised to see that she 'ad got the skipper with 'er. And of all the miserable-looking objects I ever saw in my life he was the worst. She 'ad him tight by the arm, and there was a look on     'er face that a'most scared me. 

     "Did you go all the way to Dalston for her?"  I ses to 'im. 

     Mrs. Smithers made a gasping sort o' noise, but the skipper didn't answer a word. 

     She shoved him in in front of 'er and stood ever 'im while he climbed aboard. When he held out 'is hand to help 'er she struck it away. 

     I didn't get word with 'im till five o'clock next morning, when he came up on deck with his 'air all rough and 'is eyes red for want of sleep. 

     "Haven't 'ad a wink all night," he ses, stepping on to the wharf. 

     I gave a little cough.  "Didn't she 'ave a pleasant time at Dalston?" I ses. 

     He walked a little further off from the ship.  "She didn't go there," he ses, in a whisper. 

     "You've got something on your mind," I ses.  "Wot is it?" 

     He wouldn't tell me at fust, but at last he told me all about the letter from Dorothy, and 'is wife reading it unbeknown to 'im and going to meet     'er. 

     "It was an awful meeting!"  he ses.  "Awful!" 

     I couldn't think wot to make of it.  "Was the gal there, then?"  I ses, staring at 'im. 

     "No," ses the skipper; "but I was." 

     "You?"  I ses, starting back.  "You! Wot for? I'm surprised at you! I wouldn't ha' believed it of you!" 

     "I felt a bit curious," he ses, with a silly sort o' smile.  "But wot I can't understand is why the gal didn't turn up." 

     "I'm ashamed of you, Bill," I ses, very severe. 

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