human
Well, Marshall, d'you want anything sent ashore?
gpt
Yes, sir, said Marshall,
human
I want to tell you that the men are grumbling about this cat being brought aboard. You know how superstitious they are. They want the lad to take it away with him again.
gpt
Their objections are silly and childish, Marshall, said Mr. Gordon.
human
They know that the ship is overrun with mice.
gpt
Yes, yes, sir; that's all very well. But they won't have the cat aboard; and I think you'd better have the beast sent off.
human
The men are a pack of fools. What harm can the poor cat do them, I'd like to know? They think it's unlucky, I suppose. Well, if they will have it so, send a couple of them down the hold to capture the animal. We must just bear the mice if the cat cannot remain. Look smart, now, the boy's in a hurry to get to his school.