In fact, he seemed expectant of ridicule rather than appreciation.
In his boyhood he had fought several tough fights with certain lads who had dared to scoff at his red hair.

Sam Jefferson, who lived down on the quay, still bore the marks of one such battle in the absence of two front teeth.

But he did not take affront from womenkind.

He looked over their heads, and went his way in massive unconcern.
But lately a change had come into his life--such a change as made Adam's shrewd dark eyes twinkle whenever they glanced in his son's direction, comprehending that the days of Rufus's tranquillity were ended.
A witch had come to live at The Ship, such a witch as had never before danced along the Spear Point sands.

Her name was Maria Peck, and she was the daughter of Mrs.Peck's late lamented husband's vagabond brother--"a seafaring man and a wastrel if ever there was one," as Mrs.Peck was often heard to declare.