Mr. Tredgold laid down the carving knife and
fork. "What did she say?" he inquired, eagerly. "Grunted," said the
captain. "Nonsense," said the other, sharply.
"I tell you she did," retorted the captain. "She didn't say a word; just
grunted."
"I know what you mean," said Mr. Tredgold; "only you are not using the
right word."
"All right," said the captain, resignedly; "I don't know a grunt when I
hear it, then; that's all. She generally does grunt if I happen to
mention your name."
Mr. Tredgold resumed his meal and sat eating in silence. The captain,
who was waiting for more beef, became restless.
"I hope my plate isn't in your way," he said, at last.
"Not at all," said the other, absently.
"Perhaps you'll pass it back to me, then," said the captain.
Mr. Tredgold, still deep in thought, complied. "I wish I could persuade
you to have a little more," he said, in tones of polite regret. "I've
often noticed that big men are small eaters. I wonder why it is?"
"Sometimes it is because they can't get it, I expect," said the indignant
captain.
Mr. Tredgold said that no doubt that was the case sometimes, and was only
recalled to the true position of affairs by the hungry captain marching
up to the beef and carving for himself.
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