Go away, I tell 'ee!" he gesticulated.
"What on--"
"Go away; no females allowed here. Off with 'ee this moment!"
"Put down those --s, sir," yelled the Admiral.
"Sarve 'ee right: no business to come: 'tes Bachelor's Hall, this,
an' us don't want no womankind trapesin' here: so keep your distance.
Go 'long!" And Caleb began to wave again.
"Sir," cried the Admiral, appealing to Mr. Fogo, "what is the meaning
of this extraordinary reception?"
"Eh? What?" said that gentleman, who apparently had fallen into a
fit of deep abstraction. "I beg your pardon. I did not quite
catch--"
"What is the meaning of all this, sir?" The Admiral was scarlet with
passion.
"Oh, it's quite right, I believe--quite right. Caleb will tell you."
As he gave this astonishing answer in a far-away tone, Mr. Fogo's
spectacles rested on his visitor for a moment with a smile of deepest
benevolence. Then, with a sigh, he resumed his washing.
The Admiral positively danced with rage.
"There, what did I tell 'ee?" exclaimed Caleb triumphantly.
"That's your answer, and now you can go 'long home. Off with 'ee!"
The Admiral's reply would probably have contained some strong words.
It was arrested by a catastrophe.
During this altercation the tide had been rising, and carried the
boat gently up towards the little beach.
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