W. W. Jacobs

“ I'll do as much for you one day."
Instead of complying the horrified cook rushed up on deck to tell the skipper that George's brain had gone; but, finding him in the midst of a hurried explanation to the men, stopped with greedy ears to listen. The skiff was making straight for the schooner, propelled by an elderly waterman in his shirt-sleeves, the sole passenger being a lady of ample proportions, who was watching the life of the river through a black veil. ”

“ When I think o' that I go 'ot all over."
"I shouldn't let that worry me if I was you, George," said the other kindly. "Looks ain't everything."
"I didn't mean it that way," said George very sourly. "My looks is good enough for me. In fact, it is partly owing to my looks, so to speak, that I'm in a mess."
"A little more rum, George?" said the skipper, whose curiosity was roused. "I don't want to know your business, far from it. But in my position as cap'n, if any of my crew gets in a mess I consider it's my duty to lend them a hand out of it, if I can." ”

“ I'll send for him this evening," said the lady. "Are they 'is clothes?"
"The last he ever wore," said the skipper pathetically, pointing to the heap of clothing. "There's his chest, pore chap, just as he left it."
The bereaved widow bent down, and, raising the lid, shook her head tearfully as she regarded the contents. Then she gathered up the clothes under her left arm, and, still sobbing, took his watch, his knife, and some small change from his chest, while the crew in dumb show inquired of the deceased, who was regarding her over the edge of the bunk, what was to be done. ”

“ The skipper, giving it as his own suggestion, acquainted him with the arrangements made in case of the worst, and George, though he seemed somewhat dubious about them, went below and put his bed in order.
"It's very unlikely she'll see that particular newspaper though," said the skipper encouragingly.
"People are sure to see what you don't want 'em to," growled George. "Somebody what knows us is sure to see it, an' show 'er."
"There's a lady stepping into a waterman's skiff now," said the skipper, glancing at the stairs. ”

“ Stand up an' show 'em your trowsis, George."
"If I do stand up," said George, in a voice broken with rage, "it'll be a bad day for you, my lad."
"Ain't he modest?" said the cook. "Don't it do you good to 'ear 'im? He was just like that when they got him ashore and the crowd started patting him."
"Didn't like it?" queried the mate.
"Well, they overdid it a little, p'raps," admitted the cook; "one old chap wot couldn't get near patted 'is 'ead with 'is stick, but it was all meant in the way of kindness."
"I'm proud of you, George," said the skipper heartily.
"We all are," said the mate. ”

“ He slapped the table with his open hand, and regarded the other triumphantly.
"Let him turn into his bunk and pretend to be dead," he continued, in a voice trembling with pride at his strategy. "It's pretty dark down your fo'c'sle, I know. Don't have no light down there, and tell him to keep quiet." ”