human
No, no, I want you,
gpt
Then I'll say good-morning, said the captain, smiling at Miss Denning.
human
I only wanted to say I was glad to see you on deck, sir.
gpt
Thank you, captain; but don't go. I can't help being a bit irritable; I've had so much to do with doctors that I hate them.
human
John, dear!
gpt
Well, so I do, Lena. I was dying for want of some fresh air, and as soon as I get on deck, captain, down swoops the doctor as if he were a vulture and I was so much carrion.
human
Oh, come, come, my lad, you won't talk like that when you've been on deck a bit. Nothing like fresh air, sir. Keep yourself warm, though, and we mustn't have you wet.
gpt
Now, captain, don't, pray,
human
All right, then, I won't. Look here, then. If it gets too rough, come into my cabin and have a cigar and a chat. You won't mind a little smoke, my dear?
gpt
Oh no, Captain Berriman; not at all.
human
That's right. You know where my cabin is, and don't you mind me calling you my dear. I've got three girls at home as old or older than you, and a son as big as Mr Denning.
gpt
Look here, he continued, with a twinkle of the eye.
human
I've just had a telegram from old Neptune. He says the gale's pretty well over, and he's going to give us some fine weather now. He was obliged to blow up a bit because the waves were getting sulky and idle, and the winds were all gone to sleep.
gpt
And look here, Mr Denning, he continued, turning back after taking a few steps toward the man at the wheel;
human
Oh yes,
gpt
And don't know anything about it, eh?
human
Why, I've fished at sea hundreds of times, sir, I said.
gpt
Whiffing, long line, trot, and bulter; and we used to go out to the rocks off Falmouth to set small trammels.
human
Why, you're quite a sailor, Dale, said the captain.
gpt
All right, my lad, you'll do.
human
I like Captain Berriman, Lena, said Mr Denning, thoughtfully;
gpt
Were you on deck when there was that disturbance?
human
Yes.
gpt
The captain knocked the man down, didn't he?
human
Yes; sent him sprawling upon the deck.
gpt
I wish I had been on deck.
human
Oh, there wasn't much to see, I said.
gpt
His cheek was cut, and bled.
human
So much the better. Let Mr Frewen go and attend him. But the man was insolent, wasn't he?
gpt
Very, I believe; and Captain Berriman said he would have proper discipline in his ship.
human
Yes, of course. I should have liked to see the captain knock him down. Perhaps it will make him spiteful.
gpt
Well, why shouldn't I? he said.
human
One likes to see a few exciting scenes now and then. Life is so dull.