Jim shook his head gloomily. "Ah! ’tis dirty weather he’s makin’ of it, sure ’nough. He’ve a-locked hisself in by hisself if you’ll believe me; an’ he’s a-swearin’ somethin’ ’orrible for to ’ear!" "Mr. Bosun," said Mrs. Poskett, holding up a beautiful, bright new crown-piece between her finger and thumb, "would five shillings quench your thirst?" Jim wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Well, Lady, I can’t say but ’twould take the edge off it." To his disgust, Mrs. Poskett retreated a step. "But I must see Sir Peter." Jim scratched his head—which was his way of expressing deep reflection. He caught sight of the Admiral’s flag hanging motionless. "I’ve got it!" he cried. "Sheer off a cable’s length, Lady." Mrs. Poskett retired to the extreme end of the Walk. Jim made a speaking-trumpet of both hands and bellowed, "Admiral, ahoy!" The Admiral’s window went up so suddenly, the Admiral’s head shot out so abruptly, and his voice was so fierce, that Mrs. Poskett could not suppress a little scream. "D’ye want to wake the dead?" roared the Admiral. "Axing your pardon, Admiral—sunset." "What of it, you lubber?" The Admiral was quite unaware of Mrs. Poskett’s presence, or I am sure he would not have used such an expression. "Shall I haul the flag down, Admiral?" asked Jim, with well-feigned astonishment. You may judge of what the Admiral had gone through from the fact that this was the first time in recorded history he had neglected to perform this ritual. "On your life!" he cried, in great agitation. "I’ve hoisted it and struck it with my own hands, morning and night, any time these five years. D’ ye think I’ll have a lubberly son of a sea-cook like you do it now?" He vanished from his window as abruptly as he had appeared. Jim hobbled towards Mrs. Poskett. "Got him, Lady!" he chuckled. Mrs. Poskett handed him the coin. "Here, and thank you." "Thank you, mum." Sir Peter appeared at the door. Unfortunately he caught sight of Mrs. Poskett. He retreated, half-closed the door, and only showed his head through the opening. "Jim!" he cried. "Ay, ay, sir!" "Haul it down yourself." Mrs. Poskett gave a cry of disappointment. Had she spent ten shillings in vain? But Jim was equal to the occasion. His voice was a beautiful blend of pathos and wounded dignity. "No, Admiral. Not after what passed your lips." "Damme! I can’t leave it hoisted all night!" roared the Admiral. "That’s as mebbe," said Jim, beginning to stump off. "Even the lubberly son of a sea-cook ’as ’is feelin’s, same as them wot’s ’igher placed." And he stumped round the corner. "Here! Jim!" roared the Admiral, in distress and fury. "Come back! you mutinous scoundrel!" But Jim was gone.