A broad grin

Wreathed the red face that stared into his own;

And, later, when the wardroom heard the jest,

The same wide grin from Christian mouth to mouth

Spread like the ripples on a single pool

Quietly enough! They liked him. They’d not hurt him!

And Darwin, strange, observant, simple soul,

Saw clearly enough; had eyes behind his back

For every smile; though in his big slow mind

He now revolved a thought that greatly puzzled him,