Hitherto he had kept them
averted in the studious manner I have often noticed in persons who
did not wish to excite suspicion of staring at my peculiarities; but
that lady's feelings when her neighbour's legs came down her chimney
were too much for his self-consciousness, and he gave a glance that
disclosed dark liquid depths, sparkling with mirth. He was one
number in advance of us, and could enlighten us on the next stage in
the coming story; and this went far to reconcile us to the invasion,
and to restore him to the proper use of his legs and arms--and very
shapely limbs they were, for he was a slim, well-made fellow, with a
dark gipsy complexion, and intelligent, honest face, altogether
better than we expected.
Yet we could have groaned when in the evening, Clarence brought him
back with tidings that something had gone wrong with the ship. If I
tried to explain, I might be twitted with,
'The bowsprit got mixed with the rudder sometimes.'
But of course Clarence knew all about it, and he thought it unlikely
that the vessel would be in sailing condition for a week at soonest.
Great was our dismay! Getting through one evening by the help of
walking and then singing was one thing, having the heart of our
visit consumed by an interloper was another; though Clarence
undertook to take him to the office and find some occupation for him
that might keep him out of our way.
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