"Ah, Mr Simple, poor dear Mr Trotter--he's gone. Poor fellow, no what with his drinking, and his love for me--and his jealousy--(do you recollect how jealous he was, Mr Simple?)--he wore himself out at last. No wonder, considering what he had been accustomed to, after keeping his carriage and dogs with everybody, to be reduced to see his wife go a _bumming_. It broke his heart, poor fellow! and, Mr Simple, I've been much happier ever since, for I could not bear to see him fretting. Lord, how jealous he was--and all about nothing! Don't you want some fresh meat for the gun-room? I've a nice leg of mutton in the boat, and some milk for tea." "Recollect, Mrs Trotter, I shall not overlook your bringing spirits on board." "Lord, Mr Simple, how could you think of such a thing? It's very true that these very common people do it, but the company I have kept, the society I have been in, Mr Simple! Besides, you must recollect, that I never drank anything but water." I could not exactly coincide with her, but I did not contradict her. "Would you like the Portsmouth paper, Mr Simple?" taking one out of her pocket; "I know gentlemen are fond of the news. Poor Trotter used never to stir from the breakfast-table until he had finished the daily paper-- but that was when we lived in very different style. Have you any clothes to wash, Mr Simple,--or have any of the gentlemen?" "I fear we have no time, we sail too soon," replied I; "we go with the convoy." "Indeed!" cried Mrs Trotter, who walked to the main hatchway and called to her man Bill. I heard her give him directions to sell nothing upon trust in consequence of the intelligence of our immediate sailing. "I beg your pardon, Mr Simple, I was only desiring my head man to send for your steward, that he might be supplied with the best, and to save some milk for the gun-room." "And I must beg your pardon, Mrs Trotter, for I must attend to my duty." Mrs Trotter made her curtsy and walked down the main ladder to attend to _her duty_, and we separated. I was informed she had a great deal of custom, as she understood how to manage the officers, and made herself generally useful to them. She had been a bumboat woman for six years, and had made a great deal of money. Indeed, it was reported, that if a _first lieutenant_ wanted forty or fifty pounds, Mrs Trotter would always lend it to him, without requiring his promissory note.