"Soldier and sailor too, eh?" said Nelson, and added in a stage-whisper to Kit—"He can never quite forgive us being the Senior Service."
A clock struck two.
"Come, Kit," said the Parson. "What d'you say? Shouldn't we be getting back?"
"I'm ready, sir."
"What!" cried Nelson. "You're never going back?"
"The soldier is," said the Parson. "The sailor can speak for himself. In my Service a job half done is a job not done. We like to see things through…. Besides, there's Knapp, and old Piper."
"Ah, yes," said Nelson gravely. "I was forgetting. Dear old Piper!"
"He sent a message to you, my lord," said Kit, and gave it.
"Thank you," said Nelson quietly. "Old Agamemnons never forget each other…. If by any mercy of God my old friend should be alive," he continued, "give him my love—Nelson's love; and say his old captain's proud to have sailed with such a man."
"We will indeed," said the Parson thickly. "Come, Kit."