H.M.S. "PINAFORE"
strained by humane consideration, they would have pulled Dick Deadeye's hair.
"Dick Deadeye," said Mr. Bobstay, "if you go for to infuriate this here ship's crew too far, I won't answer for being able to hold them in. I'm shocked, that's what I am, shocked."
"Messmates," said Ralph, who had been greatly impressed by what Sir Joseph had said, "my mind's made up. I'll speak to the Captain's daughter, and tell her, like an honest man, of the honest love I have for her!"
The crew cheered loudly.
"Is not my love as good as another's?" continued Ralph, "Is not my heart as true as another's? Have I not hands and eyes and ears and limbs like another?"
"You've got as pretty an outfit of them useful articles as any man on board," said Mr. Bobstay.
"True," said Ralph, rather despondently, "I lack birth."
Here Bill Bowling interfered with a rather silly joke.
"Not a bit of it," said Bill, "you've got a berth on board this very ship!"
"Well said," replied Ralph, who, sailor-like,
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