"'Wot is it?' ses the young man, grinning.
"'It's a watchman,' ses the gal. 'It's here to take charge of the
wharf, you know, and see that nobody comes on.'
"'We ought to ha' brought some buns for it,' ses the young man; 'look at
it opening its mouth.'
"They both laughed fit to kill themselves, but I didn't move a muscle.
"'You open the companion,' I ses, 'or it'll be the worse for you. D'ye
hear? Open it!'
"'Oh, Alfred,' ses the gal, 'he's losing 'is temper. Wotever shall we
do?'
"'I don't want no more nonsense,' I ses, trying to fix 'er with my eye.
'If you don't let me out it'll be the worse for you.'
"'Don't you talk to my young lady like that,' ses the young man.
"'Your young lady?' I ses. 'H'mm! You should ha' seen 'er 'arf an hour
ago.'
"The gal looked at me steady for a moment.
"'He put 'is nasty fat arm round my waist, Alfred,' she ses.
"'Wot!' ses the young man, squeaking. 'WOT!'
"He snatched up the mop wot that nasty, untidy cook 'ad left leaning
agin the side, and afore I 'ad any idea of wot 'e was up to he shoved
the beastly thing straight in my face.
"'Next time,' he ses, 'I'll tear you limb from limb!'
"I couldn't speak for a time, and when I could 'e stopped me with the
mop agin.
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