human
Fine night, sir,
gpt
Ay, very fine. What way is the wind, my lad?
human
Sou'-sou'-west,
gpt
Are you going on to Stromness? If so, I will walk along with you. That's a fine bird you're carrying. What do you call it?
human
A hen harrier, sir. My dog caught it over on the moor. Is that your barque lying in the bay, sir, the Lydia?
gpt
Ay; she's a rakish craft, isn't she? We're sailing again in the morning for South America. Do you think we shall have a fair wind, my lad?
human
Yes, if it does not veer round too much to the westward.
gpt
You appear to have studied the weather,
human
Yes, I answered.
gpt
In Stromness we all notice the wind, and father has taught me to know all the signs of the weather.
human
Then your father is a fisherman, I suppose?
gpt
Father's a pilot, I said.
human
I'm Sandy Ericson's lad.
gpt
Ericson! Ah! I know Ericson. He's a splendid fellow, a regular Norseman, in fact.