"Set down, Miss," he at length ordered, motioning to the only chair the
cabin contained. "Thar, that's better," he said as the girl
immediately obeyed. "Sorry me accommodations are so poor, but then
this ain't no ocean liner. She's nuthin' but an old woodboat, an' not
much of a place fer receivin' the likes of you."

"But I think it's fine," the girl replied, "and I know you will let me
stay here for a while. You need a woman to look after this cabin, and
I will wash and cook for you."

"Ye will!"

"Certainly. If you will only let me stay, I think you will find me
quite useful."

"H'm, queer work you'd do in them dandy togs. An' besides, this craft
can't afford to keep up much style. I s'pose ye'd want clean linen on
the table every day, to say nuthin' of napkins, an' sich gear. No, I'm
afraid ye'd prove too expensive fer the 'Eb an' Flo.' I've been cook
here fer so long that I wouldn't know what to do with a woman around.
Martha tried it once, but a week was enough fer her, so she got out.
Said she couldn't stand me housekeepin' methods."

"Who is Martha?" the girl asked.

"Oh, she's me wife, an' runs things ashore. Her an' Flo do all right
thar, but me an' Eb feel more at home on the water, with no women
buttin' in."