Retracing his steps, he hurried to Rosina's side, setting Ronnie down on the ground. 'That's no way to speak to a lady, Captain Barnum.' 'Are you addressing me, mister?' 'If you have anything to say, you'd best say it to me. Permission to come aboard, sir?' 'I've got plenty to say to you, scribe. Although it's a sound thrashing that you deserve. But it will have to wait.' 'I don't know what you're talking about, Captain Barnum.' 'Bah! It's her I blame for all this trouble, the little trollop. I haven't got time for this right now. We're sailing on the tide.' Barnum turned on his heel and stomped along the deck, shouting instructions to Barker. Walter looked as though he was about to leap on board the barge, but Rosina laid her hand on his arm. 'Ignore him, Walter.' Despite the fact that she was trembling with suppressed anger, she was not going to let Walter see how much Barnum's words had confused and upset her. Her main concern at this moment was for Caddie's children, and she caught Ronnie by the hand.
