While she was thus thinking the door opened and Wool ushered in a stout, jolly-looking tar, dressed in a white pea-jacket, duck trousers and tarpaulin hat, and carrying in his hand a large pack. He took off his hat and scraped his foot behind him, and remained standing before the housekeeper with his head tied up in a red bandana handkerchief and his chin sunken in a red comforter that was wound around his throat.
"Sit down, my good man, and rest while you show me the goods," said Mrs. Condiment, who, whether he were smuggler or not, was inclined to show the traveler all lawful kindness.
The sailor scraped his foot again, sat down on a low chair, put his hat on one side, drew the pack before him, untied it and first displayed a rich golden-hued fabric, saying: "Now here, ma'am, is a rich China silk I bought in the streets of Shanghai, where the long-legged chickens come from. Come, now, I'll ship it off cheap----"
"Oh, that is a great deal too gay and handsome for an old woman like me," said Mrs. Condiment.
"Well, ma'am, perhaps there's young ladies in the fleet? Now, this would rig out a smart young craft as gay as a clipper! Better take it, ma'am. I'll ship it off cheap!"
"Wool!" said Mrs. Condiment, turning to the servant, "go down to the kitchen and call up the house servants--perhaps they would like to buy something."
As soon as Wool had gone and the good woman was left alone with the sailor, she stooped and said: "I did not wish to inquire before the servant man, but, my good sir, I do not know whether it is right to buy from you!"
"Why so, ma'am?" asked the sailor, with an injured look.
"Why, I am afraid--I am very much afraid you risk your life and liberty in an unlawful trade!"
"Oh, ma'am, on my soul, these things are honestly come by, and you have no right to accuse me!" said the sailor, with a look of subdued indignation.
"I know I haven't, and I meant no harm, but did these goods pass through the custom house?"
"Oh, ma'am, now, that's not a fair question!"
"It is as I suspected! I cannot buy from you, my good friend. I do not judge you--I don't know whether smuggling is right or wrong, but I know that it is unlawful, and I cannot feel free to encourage any man in a traffic in which he risks his life and liberty, poor fellow!"