Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/281

Rh "I rather fancied that my friends of the smoking-room, who have been in on our little pools, would appreciate with me the extraordinary sporting possibilities," the Briton began with gratification, "in this presence of Mr. Manling on board ship with us. Still, in presenting this suggestion which—aw—the captain has just mentioned, please understand that I do not propose it only to lend a higher and keener interest to our pools; I suggest it, I say, quite as much—if not more, indeed—out of a chivalrous regard for the safety of the ladies of the ship!"

"Hear! Hear!" two of the previously most dejected Britons burst forth with reckless enthusiasm.

"Our captain has just sketched slightly to you," Mr. Dunneston continued, carefully combing his imaginary mustache with his finger-tips, "a few of the known characteristics of Mr. Manling which led us to lay this proposal before you. But perhaps he has not emphasized sufficiently the most conspicuous 255