knots 'n me. We'll pick up your goods. Liz,' says he, 'on the s'uthard
v'y'ge. An' I hopes, ol girl,' says he, 'that you'll be able t' boil the
water 'ithout burnin' it.'

"'Ay, Liz. I been makin' a awful fist o' b'ilin' the water o' late.'

"She gave him one look--an' put her clean pinny to her eyes.

"'What you cryin' about?' says the cook.

"'I don't know,' says she; 'but I 'low 'tith becauthe now I knowth you
_ith_ a fool!'

"'She's right, Tumm,' says the cook. 'She's got it right! Bein' born on
Hollow eve,' says he, 'I couldn't be nothin' else. But, Liz,' says he,
'I'm glad I got you, fool or no fool.'

"So she wiped her eyes, an' blowed her nose, an' give a little sniff,
an' looked up, an' smiled.

"'I isn't good enough for you,' says the poor cook. 'But, Liz,' says he,
'if you kissed me,' says he, 'I wouldn't mind a bit. An' they isn't a
man in this here fo'c's'le,' says he, lookin' around, 'that'll _say_ I'd
mind. Not one,' says he, with the little devil jumpin' in his eyes.

"Then she stopped cryin' for good.

"'Go ahead, Liz!' says he. 'I ain't afeared. Come on! Give us a kiss!'

"'Motheth Thooth,' says she, 'you're the firtht man ever athked me t'