"I tell you Ted brought her aboard, and they had a lover's quarrel," said
her unhappy spouse. "It's nothing to do with me at all."

"And that's why you told me Ted had got the toothache, and tried to get
me off to the chemist's, I s'pose," retorted his wife, with virulence.
"Do you think I'm a fool? How dare you ask a young woman on this barge?
How dare you?"

"I didn't ask her," said her husband.

"I s'pose she came without being asked," sneered his wife, turning her
regards to the passenger; "she looks the sort that might. You brazen-
faced girl!"

"Here, go easy, Loo," interrupted the mate, flushing as he saw the girl's
pale face.

"Mind your own business," said his sister, violently.

"It is my business," said the repentant mate. "I brought her aboard, and
then we quarrelled."

"I've no doubt," said his sister, bitterly; "it's very pretty, but it
won't do."

"I swear it's the truth," said the mate.

"Why did John keep it so quiet and hide her for, then?" demanded his
sister.