'But you would not have done it, nor have been here to enjoy beefsteak pudding if I had not kicked and squealed last night. Listen to me, mother.' Winefred got on the table and seated herself there, with her feet drawn under her. 'Hearken to what I've got to say. But for me, we, both of us, instead of counting the minutes till the beefsteak pudding is ready for us to eat, would be serving as meals for the fishes. Mother, you are too hasty. Because the rain began to trickle down your back, and your nose was blue, you sought to throw yourself and me into the sea. Now learn a lesson. Don't be hasty again. Winefred and beefsteak pudding for ever! Hurrah!' 'Be serious, child.' 'I am. It is a deadly serious question whether I shall eat or be eaten. I give you fair warning, mother, that is not a question I will have put to me again. I will not go over the cliffs however much rain trickles down your back.' 'You have no love for me.' 'I have so great a love for you, mother, that with teeth and claws, and yells and kicks, I will prevent you from ever casting yourself away or me either. I am in a haranguing, lecturing mood to-day. I have been giving my mind to Jack Rattenbury, and now I give it to you; and I am in downright earnest with both. I don't like crooked ways.' 'Forget what is past,' said Jane, in a subdued tone. 'Yes, but I shall take care of myself in the future.' CHAPTER VI OVER THE PUNCH-BOWL 'Well, mate!' shouted Olver, the ferryman, entering the house with a swagger, and casting his cap on the table. 'I'm come to spend the evenin' with you. Dang it, in November, they are too long, and one sickens of bein' by one's self. Why! What is the meanin' of this? Women, women about? I don't half like it.' 'I do not fit my house to your likings,' retorted Rattenbury curtly. 'Hang it, no. I don't expect it of you. But, by George, it is not I only who find the evenings dull alone, I see. Who would have thought this of you at your time of life, and with your grey hairs?' 'If you can't keep a civil tongue in your head, you can take up your cap and sheer off.' Olver struck his fist on the table. 'I know better than that. No offence meant――then none should be taken, mate. Come, we'll have an evenin', and talk over old times.' 'You are welcome to stay if you will keep in order your saucy tongue.' 'Old times! Old times on the _Paycock_! Ah, cap'n!' Rattenbury signed to Dench to take a seat, and called to Jane Marley to serve supper. In a very short while the ruffle on Job's temper and countenance was allayed. Olver knew his man, knew that he dearly loved to chat over past days, to furbish up remembrance of old scenes of adventure, recall old comrades, and fight old battles. And situated where Captain Rattenbury was, on that side of the Axe where the only persons associated with the water were Preventive men, and all others were farmers and labourers on the land, he was thrown on Olver as an associate.