Dave had passed his time since the Teaser arrived at New York at Bonnydale, and he had become a great favorite, not only with Christy, but with all the members of the family.
"What are you about, Dave ?" demanded Christy, not a little astonished to find the steward in his room.
"I am putting the room in order for the captain, sir," replied Dave with a cheerful smile, such as he always wore in the presence of his superiors.

"I found something in this berth I did not like to see about a bed in which a gentleman is to sleep, and I have been through it with poison and a feather; and I will give you the whole southern Confederacy if you find a single redback in the berth after this." "I am very glad you have attended to this matter at once, Dave." "Yes, sir; Captain Folkner never let me attend to it properly, for he was afraid I would read some of his papers on the desk.

He was willing to sleep six in a bed with redbacks," chuckled Dave.
"Well, I am not, or even two in a bed with such companions.

How long have you been in my room, Dave ?" added Christy.
"More than two hours, I think; and I have been mighty busy too." "Did you hear me when I came into the cabin ?" "No, sir, I did not; but I heard you talking with somebody a while ago." "What did I say to the other person ?" "I don't know, sir; I could not make out a word, and I didn't stop in my work to listen.

I have been very busy, Captain Passford," answered Dave, beginning to think he had been doing something that was not altogether regular.
"Don't you know what we were talking about, Dave ?" "No, sir; I did not make out a single word you said," protested the steward, really troubled to find that he had done something wrong, though he had not the least idea what it was.