"Have a wash, guv'nor? Thanks, skipper, that'll do for the present."
Mr. Prohack washed in amplitudinous marble, and wiped his paternal face upon diaper into which was woven the name "Northwind." He then, with his son, ate an enormous and intricate lunch and drank champagne out of crystal engraved with the name "Northwind," served to him by a ceremonious person in white gloves. Charlie was somewhat taciturn, but over the coffee he seemed to brighten up.
"Well, what do you think of the old hulk?"
"She must need an awful lot of men," said Mr. Prohack.
"Pretty fair. The wages bill is seven hundred a month."
"She's enormous," continued Mr. Prohack lamely.
"Oh, no! Seven hundred tons Thames measurement. You see those funnels over there," and Charlie pointed through the port windows to a row of four funnels rising over great sheds. "That's the Mauretania. She's a hundred times as big as this thing. She could almost sling this affair in her davits."
"Indeed! Still, I maintain that this antique wreck is enormous," Mr. Prohack insisted.
They walked out on deck.
"Hello! Here's the chit. You can always count on her!" said Charles.