"Bet," he cried. "Bet!" He heard her footsteps hurrying faster and
faster on ahead of him. Presently, hearing his step, she began to run.
He raced after her; he was fleeter than she was, and caught her up by
the lamp-post round the corner.

"What did you do that for?" he said to her, almost angrily. "You had
no call to give me the slip in that fashion. I hadn't said my say."

"I wanted to get home," said Bet--"the boys will be waiting for their
supper, and I have nothing more to talk about."

"But I have," said Will, resolutely--"just a few words, Bet; they won't
take long. I made up my mind long ago, only I did not think I'd speak
until I had summut to offer. Now I have nought but the name of an
honest fellow--only that seems better than nothing at all. Bet, will
you wed me if I can manage it afore I sail in the 'Good Queen Anne'?"

Bet looked up with an angry flash in her red-brown eyes.

"Are you mad, Will Scarlet?" she said, "My mother's lying dead, and
your ship sails to-morrow night."

"No matter that. If a parson, or the registry office, or any power on
God's earth, can make us man and wife to-morrow, Bet why shouldn't we
be mated? You have no one in all the world to look after you. There
ain't a braver nor a more lone lass in all Liverpool, and I love you
with all the strength of my heart. Why shouldn't it be better for me
to be your mate than to have no one to take your part, Bet? The voyage
will soon be made, and I'll come back with money in my pocket, and
while I'm away your father cannot do much agin you if you have wed