I Forbid the Banns! — page 32: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

22 ‘“T FORBID THE BANNS!” found out all long ago. This suspense is worse than a fever. If we are forced to take to the boats, Marian, don't forget to fetch your spirits of wine for the curling tongs’ lamp. I used my last drop this morning.” She hurried across the deck to where Cyril was still seated. He had heard what Marian had said, and he pre- pared for the worst. There were few people whom he could not repel with a well-directed epigram. ‘“‘Mr. Southcote,’’ cried Mrs. Howard, “ why did the captain shout ‘ God bless my soul’ ?”’ ‘ For the same reason the engineer turned the steam off the boiler with a rush into the safety valve, Mrs. Howard —to relieve the pressure due to circumstances. ”’ “Is this a time to be clever? What on earth do you mean?” “ Profanity is the safety valve of human nature, Mrs. Howard,” said Cyril. The lady gazed at him vacantly for a moment and then turned right round without a word and made for the sur- geon, who had just come up from the engine room, and was pleasantly mopping his face. “ Doctor, Iam distracted with the cleverness of people, and I have come to you forachange. You area sensible man; tell me, in one word, what has happened. Is it the boiler, or something else? Is anyone dead below? Are we to return to the Cape, or to go on to England ?”’ “In one word, Mrs. Howard,” said the surgeon, * precious little has happened to disturb anyone. It is not the boiler, but something else. No one is particularly hurt, and I believe we shall be on our way to England, home, and beauty in half an hour.” “ And yet the captain cried ‘ God bless my soul!’” “Then in his name I retract the expression,” said the surgeon. CORNIECLIOOKS com