The Argosy — page 242: what you’re looking at

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

Fenny Morris's Voyage. 227 “Tt is very gay,” was Jenny’s answer. ‘‘ But, Mrs. Webb, I wish to ask you to consider a little. Mr. Dacey particularly advised us to have nothing to do with this lady; who is, one may easily see, vulgarly over- dressed, entirely uneducated, and—not nice in any way. Of course she is kind to offer you all these good things: but the receiving them from her establishes an intimacy that I am sure you will not wish to maintain long, and may be sorry for later.” Mrs. Webb listened coolly, and then opened the bottle of lemon syrup and mixed some with a glass of water. After a sip or two, she spoke calmly but severely. ‘‘ Would your highly respected aunt, Jenny, who has been to you as a mother, believe that any man, not to mention a suspicious and ill-provided stranger (this was an allusion to the sudden collapse of his supply of dainties), could influence her erring niece in the short space of one month, as Mr. Dacey is influencing you?” Jenny bit herlips. ‘‘Even to the extent of falsifying and blackening the character of an elevated and generous woman ?” ‘But listen,” cried Jenny, who was determined not to lose her temper, “‘just listen to reason. On the one hand 1s a little privation, hard to bear I allow, for the ship’s provisions are not what they ought to be: but on the other is the necessity of being indebted to a strange and undesirable person—one whom perhaps Mr. Webb will not approve mt + ‘“‘ Now,” exclaimed the virtuous wife of that aiaans gentleman, “ now you have struck your last blow. ‘Trying to make trouble between man and wife is a fitting end for these outer influences and base insinuations. Jane Morris, I defy you to poison Mr. Webb’s mind against me, his loyal wife. My character, Miss Morris, is above your touch.” At this point Jenny burst out of the room and slammed the door. “We shall have a quarrel,” she said, ‘‘I feel that we shall quarrel. I’ve slammed the door upon her, and that is a good step towards it. Oh, good heavens, that I should ever go round the Horn to California and fight all the way there ?” Affairs from that moment took a decided turn. Madame Freep, who seemed to have acquired undisputed power on board, and to wield it imperiously, ruling everybody ‘to her own will — Madame Freep set her face against Jenny. Mr. Bumble bowed, smiled, and ‘simpered to her, and received cup custards and potted meats in return; Mrs. Webb was her devoted admirer and fared likewise; but Jenny and Mr. Dacey, the first reserved, the last indifferent, were entirely overlooked. Jenny began to be treated with marked coldness, and when on deck would often overhear herself to be fhe object of most unpleasant and annoying remarks, especially from Madame F reep and Mrs. Webb. It dismayed her almost to fear. Even Mr. Bumble hardly condescended to speak to her. One evening when it was intensely hot and the ship almost be- CoOnniiclooolxs (C@)