All save Tommy looked at Miss Ailie, and she put her arm on Mr.McLean's, and, yes, it was obvious, Miss Ailie was a lover at the Cuttle Well at last, like so many others.

She had often said that the Den parade was vulgar, but she never said it again.
It was unexpected news to Tommy, but that was not what lowered his head in humiliation now.

In the general rejoicing he had been nigh forgotten; even Elspeth was hanging on Miss Ailie's skirts, Gavinia had eyes for none but lovers, Corp was rapturously examining five half-crowns that had been dropped into his hands for distribution.

Had Tommy given an order now, who would have obeyed it?
His power was gone, his crew would not listen to another word against Mr.McLean.
"Tommy thought Mr.McLean hated you!" said Elspeth to Miss Ailie.
"It was queer you made sic a mistake!" said Corp to Tommy.
"Oh, the tattie-doolie!" cried Gavinia.
So they knew that Mr.McLean had only been speaking sarcastically; of a sudden they saw through and despised their captain.

Tears of mortification rose in Tommy's eyes, and kind-hearted Miss Ailie saw them, and she thought it was her lover's irony that made him smart.