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 if we were to live all our lives in a stage coach? Why can't that body as well stay in the kitchen?"

The stranger would hastily have retired, but the Admiral, taking her softly by the shoulder, said, "I have been a commanding officer the best part of my life, Gentlewoman; and though a devil of a wound has put me upon the superannuated list, I am not sunk into quite such a fair weather chap, as to make over my authority, in such a little pitiful skiff's company as this, to petticoat government;&mdash;though no man has a better respect for the sex, in its proper element; which, however, is not the sea. Therefore, Madam," turning to Mrs. Maple, "this gentlewoman being my own passenger, and having comported herself without any offence either to God or man, I shall take it kind if you will treat her in a more Christian-like manner."

While Mrs. Maple began an angry reply, the stranger forced herself out of the apartment. The Admiral followed.