Good-morning"; and she carried
David off in triumph.
The next moment Mr. Talboys spurred on, followed by the phaeton.
Talboys' face was yellow.
_"La langue d'une femme est son epee."_
"Sheer off and repair damages, you lubber," said David, dryly, "and
don't come under our guns again, or we shall blow you out of the
water. Hum! Eve, wasn't your tongue a little too long for your teeth
just now?"
"Not an inch."
"She might be vexed; it is not for me to boast of her kindness."
"Temper won't let a body see everything. I'll tell you what I have
done, too--I've declared war."
"Have you? Then run the Jack up to the mizzen-top, and let us fight it
out."
"That is the way to look at it, David. Now don't you speak to me till
we get home; let me think."
At the gate of Font Abbey, they parted, and Eve went home. David came
to the stable yard and hailed, "Stable ahoy!" Out ran a little
bandy-legged groom. "The craft has gone adrift," cried David, "but
I've got the gear safe. Stow it away"; and as he spoke he chucked the
saddle a distance of some six yards on to the bandy-legged groom, who
instantly staggered back and sank on a little dunghill, and there sat,
saddled, with two eyes like saucers, looking stupefied surprise
between the pommels.
"It is you for capsizing in a calm," remarked David, with some
surprise, and went his way.
"Well, Eve, have you thought?"
"Yes, David, I was a little hasty; that puppy would provoke a saint.
Pages:
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205