Then Mr. Tasker's
second infringement of discipline occurred to him, and, stretching out
his hand, he rang the bell.
"Has that young woman gone?" he inquired, cautiously, as Mr. Tasker
appeared.
"Yessir," was the reply.
"What about your articles?" demanded the captain, with sudden loudness.
"What do you mean by it?"
Mr. Tasker eyed him forlornly. "It ain't my fault," he said, at last.
"I don't want her."
"Eh?" said the other, sternly. "Don't talk nonsense. What do you have
her here for, then?"
"Because I can't help myself," said Mr. Tasker, desperately; "that's why.
She's took a fancy to me, and, that being so, it would take more than you
and me to keep 'er away."
"Rubbish," said his master.
Mr. Tasker smiled wanly. "That's my reward for being steady," he said,
with some bitterness; "that's what comes of having a good name in the
place. I get Selina Vickers after me."
"You--you must have asked her to come here in the first place," said the
astonished captain.
"Ask her?" repeated Mr. Tasker, with respectful scorn. "Ask her? She
don't want no asking."
"What does she come for, then?" inquired the other.
"Me," said Mr.
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