power to bring her with me, but I warrant you I did so as soon as I became captain."
"Why, is your wife on board now," said I, frightened out of my senses lest the laughing lady might be her. "I have not seen her, have I."
"No, she is quite indisposed," said he; "in fact she goes this voyage to see whether it may not cure her eyes; she has to wear goggles all the time as the light is so painful; if it were not for that she would be a very pretty woman; one of these evenings I will get her to take them off, and you must come down and see her. Do you play at chess? You do hey; well, I am glad of it, for she plays a good game, and it will keep you both to while away the time, particularly since my wife's eyes won't allow her to sew. She has beautiful hair, too, though I say it," continued the warm-hearted captain, and I liked him all the better for talking so tenderly of his wife. "That old lady that sits opposite to you now, almost bent double, as you see, is a friend of my wife's, and we are taking her on a visit. Poor old thing she is so near-sighted, that every thing must go close to her eyes, or her eyes be sent close to the object, otherwise she could not see to cut her food even. Excuse me, Mr. Parr, is your wife handsome?"
"I think she is," said I, "to me she appears beautiful, and I wish she was here to enjoy this delicious evening with me."
"Why yes, as I said, it would be better to have her here. My wife has a few freckles on her face—is your wife freckled?"
"Freckled!" said I indignantly, "no, why do you ask that question; she has a remarkably clear skin."
"Oh, I meant no offence; what colour are her eyes? my wife has blue eyes; people say they are handsome, and I think so too."
