human
I say, he cried,
gpt
One can't feel very lively just coming away from home amongst strangers,
human
Bosh! You're talking like a boarding-school girl. What do you think of the skipper?
gpt
The captain? I haven't seen him yet.
human
Yes, you have. That was he who let go at the men up aloft. He's a rough 'un, and no mistake. Berriman--I don't think much of him nor of the ship; I shall shift into another line after this trip. It isn't good enough for me.
gpt
I wonder whether I shall talk like that, I thought to myself,
human
Then aloud:
gpt
Shall we go on deck for a bit, and see if we can do anything?
human
Not likely, was the shortly uttered reply.
gpt
What's the good? Get wet through in this mizzling rain. Let's wait for lunch. There'll be a good one, because of the passengers' friends being on board. Some say they'll go down to Gravesend with us. Here, you're all green yet; you leave everything to me, and I'll tell you what to do.
human
Thankye,
gpt
Smoke?
human
Never mind, I'll teach you; and, look here, if it's fine this afternoon, I'll take you round and introduce you to all the officers and people.
gpt
But I thought you were as strange as I am,
human
Well, I don't know the people themselves, but I know which will be the mates and doctor and boatswain, and I can show you all about the ship, and take you aloft, can't I?
gpt
Oh yes, of course,
human
You'll find I can be a deal of use to you if you stick to me, and I can take your part if any of the other middies try to bounce you.
gpt
Will there be any other midshipmen?
human
P'raps. But it's all gammon calling us middies. We are only a kind of apprentices, you know. It isn't like being in a man-o'-war.