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London, Jack

"The Sea-Wolf"


? ? ? ? Hanging over the cook's arm was a loose and crumpled array of evil-looking and sour-smelling garments.


? ? ? ? 'They was put aw'y wet, sir,' he vouchsafed explanation. 'But you'll 'ave to make them do while I dry yours out by the fire.'


? ? ? ? Clinging to the woodwork, staggering with the roll of the ship, and aided by the cook, I managed to slip into a rough woolen undershirt. On the instant my flesh was creeping and crawling from the harsh contact. He noticed my involuntary twitching and grimacing, and smirked:


? ? ? ? 'I only 'ope yer don't ever 'ave to get used to such as that in this life, 'cos you've got a bloomin' soft skin, that you 'ave, more like a lydy's than any I know of. I was bloomin' well sure you was a gentleman as soon as I set eyes on yer.'


? ? ? ? I had taken a dislike to him at the first, and as he helped to dress me this dislike increased. There was something repulsive about his touch. I shrank from his hand; my flesh revolted. And between this and the smells arising from various pots boiling and bubbling on the galley fire, I was in haste to get out into the fresh air.


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