"'Deed, and I won't." "Besides, we enjoyed them so, do you know," continued the old sailor, chuckling away at a fine rate.

"Sure they were mighty fine, ma'am.

The best soles I ivver ate, sure." "That makes the matter worse, you robber!" she retorted, smiling good- naturedly at his broad mimicry of her Irish pronunciation.

"Why, ye're adding insult now to injury, sure." "Never mind, Polly," interposed her brother, acting as peacemaker between the two.

"The Captain will show you how to cook soles properly the next time he catches any." "Yes," said Mrs Gilmour drily, "if he doesn't ate them first." "By Jove, I promise not to do that, ma'am, for I don't like 'em raw," replied the offender, keeping up the fun, and not one whit abashed by these comments on his behaviour.