This last remark, delivered with a broad grin of delight, had reference to the fact that the Captain had run the corner of his chest against the low roof of the passage with a degree of violence that shook the whole tenement.
Holding his breath in hopeful anticipation, and reckless of the babys ketching cold, the small boy listened for more. Nor was he disappointed. In his progress along the passage Captain Wopper, despite careful steering, ran violently foul of several angles and beams, each of which mishaps sent a quiver through the old house, and a thrill to the heart of Gillie White. In his earnest desire to steer clear of the sick womans door, the luckless Captain came into collision with the opposite wall, and anxiety on this point causing him to forget the step on which he had struck once before, he struck it again, and was precipitated, chest and all, against Mrs Robys door, which, fortunately for itself, burst open, and let the avalanche of chest and man descend upon Mrs Robys floor.
Knowing that the climax was now reached, the imp descended the stair filled with a sort of serene ecstasy, while Captain Wopper gathered himself up and sat down on his nautical portmanteau.
I tell ee what it is, old ooman, said he, stroking his beard, the channel into this port is about the wust I ever had the ill-luck to navigate. I hope I didnt frighten ee?
Oh, dear no! replied Mrs Roby, with a smile.
To say truth, the old woman seemed less alarmed than might have been expected. Probably the noise of the Captains approach, and previous experience, had prepared her for some startling visitation, for she was quite calm, and a humorous twinkle in her eyes seemed to indicate the presence of a spirit somewhat resembling that which actuated Gillie White.
Well, thats all right, said the Captain, rising and pushing up the trap-door that led to his private berth in the new lodging; and now, old lady, havin come to an anchor, I must get this chest sent aloft as fast as I can, seein that Ive to clean myself an rig out for a dinner at eight oclock at the west end.
Dear me, said Mrs Roby, in surprise, you must have got among people of quality.
It wont be easy to hoist it up, said the Captain, ignoring the remark, and eyeing the chest and trap-door in the roof alternately.
Just then a heavy step was heard in the passage; and a young man of large and powerful frame, with a gentle as well as gentlemanly demeanour, appeared at the door.
Come income in, said Mrs Roby, with a bright look, this is only my new lodger, a friend of dear Wil
Why, bless you, old ooman, interrupted Captain Wopper, he knows me well enough. I went to him this morning and got Mrs Stoutleys address. Come in, Dr Lawrence. I may claim to act the host here now in a small way, perhaps, and bid visitors welcomeeh! Mrs Roby?
Surely, surely, replied the old woman.
Thank you both for the welcome, said the visitor with a pleasant smile, as he shook hands with Mrs Roby. I thought I recognised your voice, Captain Wopper, as you passed Mrs Levens door, and came out to see how you and my old friend here get on together.
Is she any better to-night, sir? asked Mrs Roby, anxiously.
Lawrence shook his head sadly and said she was no better, and that he feared she had little chance of getting better while her dissipated son dwelt under the same roof with her. It is breaking her heart, he added, and, besides that, the nature of her disease is such that recovery is impossible unless she is fed on the most generous diet. This of course she cannot have, because she has no means of her own. Her son gambles away nearly all his small salary, and she refuses to go to an hospital lest her absence should be the removal of the last restraining link between him and destruction. It is a very sad casevery.
Captain Wopper was struck with this reference to gambling coming so soon after his recent conversation on that subject, and asked if there were no charitable societies or charitable people in London who would help in a case so miserable.
Yes, there were plenty of charitable institutions, Lawrence told him, but he feared that this woman had no special claim on any of them, and her refusal to go to an hospital would tell against her. There were also, he said, plenty of charitable people, but all of those he happened to be acquainted with had been appealed to by him so often that he felt ashamed to try them again. He had already given away as much of his own slender means as he could well spare, so that he saw no way out of the difficulty; but he had faith in Providential supervision of human affairs, and he believed that a way would yet be opened up.
Youre right, sirright, said Captain Wopper, with emphasis, while he looked earnestly into the face of the young doctor. This world wasnt made to be kicked about like a foot-ball by chance, or circumstances, or anything of the sort. Look ee here, sir; it has bin putt into my heart to feel charitable leanings, and a good bit o cash has bin putt into my pocket, so that, bein a lone sort o man, I dont have much use for it. Thats on the one hand. On the other hand, here are you, sir, the son of a friend o my chum Willum Stout, with great need of aid from charitable people, an here we two are met togetherboth ready for action. Now, I call that a Providential arrangement, so please putt me down as one of your charitable friends. Its little I can boast of in that way as yet but its not too late to begin. Ive long arrears to pull up, so Ill give you that to begin with. Itll help to relieve Mrs Leven in the meantime.
As he spoke, the Captain drew a black pocketbook from his breast pocket and, taking a piece of paper therefrom, placed it in the doctors hands.
This is a fifty-pound note! said Lawrence, in surprise.
Well, what then? returned the Captain. You didnt expect a thousand-pound note, did you?
Not quite that, replied Lawrence, laughing, but I thought that perhaps you had made a mistake.
Ah! you judged from appearances, young man. Dont you git into the way of doin that, else youll be for ever sailin on the wrong tack. Take my advice, an never look as if you thought a man gave you more than he could afford. Nobody never does that.
Far be it from me, returned Lawrence, to throw cold water on generous impulses. I accept your gift with thanks, and will gladly put you on my list. If you should find hereafter that I pump you rather hard, please to remember that you gave me encouragement to do so.
Pump away, sir. When youve pumped dry, Ill tell you!
Well, said Lawrence, rising, Ill go at once and bring your liberality into play; and, since you have done me so good a turn, remember that you may command my services, if they can ever be of any use to you.
The Captain cast a glance at the trap-door and the chest.
Well, said he, I can scarcely ask you to do it professionally, but if youd lend a hand to get this Noahs ark o mine on to the upper deck, Id
Come along, cried Lawrence, jumping up with a laugh, and seizing one end of the ark.
Captain Wopper grasped the other end, and, between them, with much puffing, pushing, and squeezing, they thrust the box through the trap to the upper regions, whither the Captain followed it by means of the same gymnastic feat that he performed on his first ascent. Thrusting his head down, he invited the doctor to come aloft, which the doctor did in the same undignified fashion, for his gentle manner and spirit had not debarred him from the practice and enjoyment of manly exercises.