Page:Ballantyne--The Battery and the Boiler.djvu/403

 "Because, Madge, we have been so busy in talking about something else," said Sam, "that I really forgot all about it."

"Do tell us about it now," said Mrs. Langley, who, like her daughter, had been listening in silence up to this point,

"A deal o' rubbish was spoken, I daresay," observed the captain, commencing to another muffin, and demanding more tea.

"A deal of something was spoken, at all events," said Sam, "and what is more to the point, an amazing deal was done. Come, before speaking about it, let me propose a toast—Success to Batteries and Boilers!"

"Amen to that!" said Robin, with enthusiasm.

"If they deserve it," said the captain, with caution.

The toast having been drunk with all the honours, Sam began by saying that the fête was a great occasion, and included brilliant company.

"There were present, of course," he said, "nearly all the great electrical and engineering lights of the day, also the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, with a lot of aristocrats, whom it is not necessary to mention in the presence of a democratic sea-dog like uncle Rik."

"Don't yaw about to defame me, but keep to your course, Sam."