human
Ain't it snug? and there's no gamblin' agoin' on there, remarked Molloy, as they returned to their table;
gpt
Then the _Welcome_ is well patronised, I suppose?
human
Patronised! exclaimed the seaman;
gpt
Call me Miles,
human
Well, yes, I am; only there's more of my name than that, but that's enough for your purpose, I daresay.
gpt
All right. Well, Miles, you was askin' how the house is patronised. I'll tell 'ee. They make up about two hundred an' twenty beds in it altogether, an' these are chock-full a'most every night. One way or another they had forty-four thousand men, more or less, as slep' under this roof last year--so I've bin told. That's patronisin', ain't it? To say nothin' o' the fellers as comes for--grub, which, as you've found, is good for the money, and the attendants is civil. You see, they're always kind an' attentive here, 'cause they professes to think more of our souls than our bodies--which we've no objection to, d'ee see, for the lookin' arter our souls includes the lookin' arter our bodies! An' they don't bother us in no way to attend their Bible-readin's an' sitchlike. There they are in separate rooms; if you want 'em you may go; if you don't, you can let 'em alone. No compulsion, which comes quite handy to some on us, for I don't myself care much about sitchlike things. So long's my body's all right, I leaves my soul to look arter itself.
human
What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
gpt
Hows'ever, continued Molloy,
human
Man alive! continued Jack Molloy, striking his huge fist on his thigh with emphasis;
gpt
You don't mean that?
human
In course I does. But they heard 'im gaspin', an cut him down in time to save him. It was drink they say as made him do it, and they got him to sign the pledge arterwards. I believe he's kep' it too. Leastwise I know many a hard drinker as have bin indooced to give it up and stuck to it--all through comin' here to have a snooze in a comfortable hunk. They give the bunks names--cubicles they calls 'em in the lump. Separately, there's the `Commodore Goodenough Cot,' an' the `Little Nellie Cot,' an' the `Sunshine Cot'--so called 'cause it hain't got a port-hole to let in the daylight at all; and the `Billy Rough 'un'--
gpt
The what?
human
Oh! you mean the _Bellerophon_.
gpt
Well, young man, an' didn't I _say_ the `Billy Rough 'un'? Then there's the--But what's your hurry?
human
It's getting late now, friend. If I'm to find another lodging I must be off. Doubtless, I'll find some respectable house to take me in for the night.
gpt
I don't believe you will, returned Molloy, also rising, and giving full vent to a sympathetic and vociferous yawn.
human
Hows'ever, w'en a young feller insists on havin' his way, it's best to give him plenty of cable and let him swing. He's sure to find out his mistake by experience. But look ye here, Miles, I've took a fancy to you, an' I'd be sorry to think you was in difficulties. If, he continued, thrusting a hand into his breeches-pocket, and bringing up therefrom a mass of mixed gold, silver, and copper--
gpt
Thank you--no, my friend. It is very kind of you, said Miles quickly;
human
All right, returned the sailor, thrusting the money back into his pocket.
gpt
But if you should ever want a jaw with Jack Molloy while you're in this here port you've only got to hail him at the _Sailors' Welcome_, an' if he should happen to be out, they always can tell you where he's cruisin'. Good-night, an' luck go wi' ye!