He presumption to tell me that he did not cook the onions, and it was
not his fault that they were not properly done." Possibly
the steward might have voted on the same side of the question, if he had
considered it prudent to express an opinion; but he apologized for the
cook,
and said nothing about the
waiter. He explained that he had been to the kitchen for the onions, and
had sent the best on the boat to the distinguished passenger. "Then the
young rascal gave them to some other person!" exclaimed Major Billcord.
"The boy is
not fit for a waiter." "He is only serving for a week or
two, while one of our regular waiters is away. He
is the son of one of the second pilots." "Which one?" demanded the angry
passenger. "Dornwood. He says the boy is a little wild, and he wants
to get something for him
to do," added the steward.
"The boy is rather
more than his mother can manage when his father is away, as he is all
the
season." "This is not a reform-school, and we don't want
any such scallawags on the boat. But you needn't tell
Dornwood that I said any thing about his boy," added the major in a low
tone. Of course the steward would not say
any thing on such a delicate subject. After dinner Dory Dornwood was
called up and discharged. He tried to explain that he had done his best,
and had not spoken an impudent word. The steward
had been satisfied with him, but it was impossible to resist the
influence of such a man as Major Billcord. Perry Dornwood was th