Moby Dick

[Old Thunder]

"Get along with ye," said she to the man, "or I'll be combing ye!"

 

[Old Thunder]

"Come on, Queequeg," said I, "all right. There's Mrs. Hussey."

 

[Old Thunder]

And so it turned out; Mr. Hosea Hussey being from home, but leaving Mrs. Hussey entirely competent to attend to all his affairs.

 

[Old Thunder]

Upon making known our desires for a supper and a bed, Mrs. Hussey, postponing further scolding for the present, ushered us into a little room, and seating us at a table spread with the relics of a recently concluded repast, turned round to us and said--"Clam or Cod?"

 

[Old Thunder]

"What's that about Cods, ma'am?" said I, with much politeness.

 

[Old Thunder]

"Clam or Cod?" she repeated.

 

[Old Thunder]

"A clam for supper? a cold clam; is that what you mean, Mrs. Hussey?" says I; "but that's a rather cold and clammy reception in the winter time, ain't it, Mrs. Hussey?"

 

[Old Thunder]

But being in a great hurry to resume scolding the man in the purple shirt, who was waiting for it in the entry, and seeming to hear nothing but the word "clam," Mrs. Hussey hurried towards an open door leading to the kitchen, and bawling out "clam for two," disappeared.

 

[Old Thunder]

"Queequeg," said I, "do you think that we can make out a supper for us both on one clam?"

 

[Old Thunder]

However, a warm savoury steam from the kitchen served to belie the apparently cheerless prospect before us.