After checking on Scroop, Ophelia went downstairs to find him some breakfast. Her father, Edward, was already sitting at the breakfast table and enjoying his meal, while her mother, Sylvia, stirred a pot of broth.
"How is he?" Edward asked.
"Well enough, Papa. I've learned that his name is Scroop. Unfortunately, no last name was given. He was orphaned at birth."
Sylvia frowned and shook her head. "The poor man."
"He's an unusual creature. I've never seen his kind before."
"Very few humans are granted the sight of a spab."
"A spab?" Ophelia repeated.
"A cross breed between a spider and a crab. A rare species, but certainly not unheard of. Like all hybrids of the alien race, spabs have great difficulty finding employment and most resort to begging or piracy."
"I'm sure that Mr. Scroop isn't a pirate. A unfortunate man, maybe even a beggar. Not a pirate though."
"My little Phelia, you are too quick to trust him." Edward mumbled.
"Well, pirate or not, he's injured and in need of help. I just came to find him something to eat. "
Sylvia smiled and poured some of the soup into the bowl. "I figured he'd be hungry. It's best to start with something light."
Ophelia took the bowl from her mother and turned to go back upstairs, when Edward took a gentle hold on her wrist.
"Leave your locket on the table." Edward said.
"Papa, he's hurt. Even if he is a pirate, he ca-"
"Leave it here, Ophelia."
Ophelia sighed and laid the bowl on the table, and then unfastened her gold locket that held a picture of her brother and laid it on the table. She then gathered up the bowl again and stormed upstairs.
"My love, Ophelia is an excellent judge of character."
"Nonetheless, pirates can deceive young women easily. With her nearing spinsterhood, Ophelia will be drawn to his charm like a bee is to pollen."
Upstairs, Ophelia was feeding Scroop the soup. He was still weak, but seemed extremely grateful for something to eat. It took a few moments before Scroop chose to speak.
"You aren't wearing your locket, Miss Holland."
"I left it downstairs. The chain was loose."
"I'm not trusted, am I? Your parents think poorly of me, don't they? I'm sure you think the same."
"No, Mr. Scroop, I don't. My father believes that you are a pirate. He thought that you would possibly steal my locket."
Scroop sighed. "Your father is right to believe that I'm a pirate. I am. I'm not asking for your trust, because I'll leave as soon as I've mended. Meanwhile, I won't be taking nothing that isn't mine. I owe it to you, Miss Holland and to your parents, to set aside what I know."
"Thank you, sir."