human
Mack, I'm awful sorry to disturb your meditations, but if they ain't a heap sight more entertaining than mine, I cal'late you won't mind to give 'em up for a spell.
gpt
It wouldn't be much of a sacrifice, Cap'n, acknowledged Mr. McGowan, laughing.
human
What is troubling you?
gpt
Well, it's this, --the Captain blew a cloud of smoke,--
human
The idea is all right, but how can we put it into effect?
gpt
I ain't just exactly sure.
human
You must have something to propose, else you wouldn't have mentioned it.
gpt
There ain't going to be no proposing, leastwise not by me.
human
Afraid of the fair sex, Cap'n?
gpt
No. Just wise to 'em.
human
Why don't you take the suggestion I made some time ago?
gpt
Meaning, which?
human
Have some one come in once a week to clean up.
gpt
It needs something more than a cleaner round here. What we want is a cook. I cal'late we'd best ship a general housekeeper.
human
A housekeeper!
gpt
And you have just declared that you didn't intend to propose. I'm afraid----
human
I ain't interested in your fears, young man. I'm too old a sea-dog for any of them new-fangled tricks. But being as you're set on staying here I've decided that we'll take a woman aboard to look after the mess and swab decks.
gpt
Is that practical in our present position?
human
Practical in our present position? If it ain't, then I'd like to know when in the name of all my ancestors such a thing is practical. Mack----
gpt
I mean from the financial point of view. The boxing match seems to have hit the pocketbooks of the church members harder than the man from the city hit me. At least, something has given them almost total paralysis.
human
Who's asking you to consarn yourself with a woman's keep? I ain't, be I?
gpt
I hope you don't think that I'd permit you to bring a housekeeper in here for me unless you give me the privilege of sharing in the expense.
human
Mack, this here place ain't your house. Cal'late I'll do about as I please on that p'int.
gpt
If I can't stand the expense with part salary, you certainly can't stand it with none,
human
I ain't sartin it would cost anything. Leastwise, it won't cost much. I ain't sartin, --repeated the Captain as though in meditation,--
gpt
Who?
human
Don't let your cur'osity get away with you, young feller. I ain't promising nothing, but I'm just thinking, that's all. How'd you like to cruise round the P'int to-morrow, Mack?
gpt
You have a delightful way of changing the subject when it gets too hot. But I'd certainly like the cruise and the air.
human
I cal'late I ain't changed no subject. We'll go over Riverhead way. It'll be sort of a vacation from all this mess, and give me a chance to see about this puzzling woman question.