Page:The Land of Wonders - O Conaire.pdf/27

 Rh said when they passed the door of the cabin. Soon she understood that it was the big sailor whom her father called Satan who was talking most, and that her father was trying to appease him. Twice or three times she had to put her fingers in her ears to prevent herself from hear ing the awful oaths uttered by the sailor. She had often heard Sister Mary Andrew say that it was a great sin to curse, and how did she know that she was not committing sin by listening to them?

They were at the cabin-door.

"A fox's head! A fox's head, I say! By all . . . . ."

It was the sailor who spoke, and she put her fingers in her ears.

She heard no more of the conversation for some time, and could only hear the noise of their feet overhead and the water lapping against the ship's side.

"A red-haired woman and children!" said the sailor.

"She is not red-haired," said the Captain.

That is all Maire heard.

"And the cat! the black cat! By . . . ." said the sailor as they passed the door for the fourth time.

"And how am I to know that they have not a pram to give the children an airing on the deck," said the sailor, mockingly.