"I will trouble you to keep your insinuations to yourself," the woman said, in great indignation. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, at your age, encouraging a boy in such ways. There is them as can stand the cold, and there's them as can't; and a little good liquor helps them, wonderful. I am sich, myself." And she defiantly took out her bottle from her basket, and applied it to her lips. "I was not speaking personally, my good woman," Mr. Bale said. "I would have you to know," the woman snapped, "that I ain't your good woman. I wouldn't demean myself to the like. I will ask this company if it is right as a unprotected female should be insulted, on the outside of one of His Majesty's mails?" The other passengers, who had been struggling with their laughter, endeavoured to pacify her with the assurance that no insult had been meant; and as Mr. Bale made no reply, she subsided into silence, grumbling occasionally to herself. "I am a-going down," she broke out, presently, "to meet my husband, and I don't mind who knows it. He is a warrant officer, he is, on board the Latona, as came in last week with two prizes. There ain't nothing to be ashamed of, in that. "And I will thank you, boy," she said, turning sharply upon Bob, "not to be a-scrouging me so. I pay for my place, I do." "I think you ought to pay for two places," Bob said. "I am sure you have got twice as much room as I have. And if there is any scrouging, it isn't me." "Would you have any objection, sir," the woman said majestically, to a man sitting on the other side of her, "to change places with me? I ain't a-going to bear no longer with the insults of this boy, and of the person as calls himself a man, a-sitting next to him." The change was effected, to Bob's great satisfaction. "You see, Robert, what you have brought down upon me," Mr. Bale said. "This comes of your telling stories about bottles, when there is a woman with one in her basket next to you." "I really was not thinking of her when I spoke, uncle. But I am glad, now, for I really could hardly breathe, before. "Why, uncle, I had no idea you smoked!" he added, as Mr. Bale took a cigar case from his pocket. "I do not smoke, when I am in the city, Robert; but I see no harm in a cigar--in fact I like one--at other times. I observed a long pipe on the mantelpiece, at Mr. Medlin's; and indeed, I have seen that gentleman smoke, when we have been out together, but I have never observed him indulging in that habit, in the city." "Oh, yes! He smokes at home," Bob said. "I have great confidence in Mr. Medlin, Robert. You have been comfortable with him, I hope?" "Could not be more comfortable, sir." "An excellent man of business, Robert, and most trustworthy. A serious-minded man." Bob was looking up, and saw a little twinkle in Mr. Bale's eye. "You don't find it dull, I hope?" "Not at all dull, sir. Mr. Medlin and his family are very musical."