The Ne'er-Do-Well eBook   Meanwhile he amused himself by baiting
the purser.  He dogged that serious-minded gentleman through all
his waking hours, finding a rare delight in playing upon his
suspicion and lack of humor.  To him Kirk was always Mr. Locke,
while he insisted upon being called Mr. Anthony by the others,
and the officer never quite got the hang of it.  Moreover, the
latter was full of dignity, and did not relish being connected
with a certainly dubious and possibly criminal character, yet
dared not resort to rudeness as a means of riddance.  The
situation was trying enough to the young man at best; for the
ship’s hirelings began to show a lack of interest in his
comfort, once it became known that he did not tip, and he
experienced difficulty in obtaining even the customary
attentions.  It was annoying to one who had never known an
unsatisfied whim; but Kirk was of a peculiarly sanguine
temperament that required much to ruffle, and looked upon the
whole matter as a huge joke.  It was this, perhaps,