The captain, in lieu of answering them, asked another.
"What do you want here ?" "I have come to see Sam," said Miss Nugent.

"Fancy seeing you here! How are you, Sam ?" "Pretty well, miss, thank'ee," replied Mr.Wilks, "considering," he added, truthfully, after a moment's reflection.
Miss Nugent dropped into a chair and put her feet on the fender.

Her father eyed her restlessly.
"I came here to speak to Sam about a private matter," he said, abruptly.
"Private matter," said his daughter, looking round in surprise.

"What about ?" "A private matter," repeated Captain Nugent.

"Suppose you come in some other time." Kate Nugent sighed and took her feet from the fender.