"What talk of Brander and my wife?" Noll asked slowly.
Dan'l shook his head. "You can guess it for yourself, sir. The men have nothing better to do than chatter and gossip like old women. They've had no work for three days. We need another whale to shut their mouths."
"What talk?" Noll repeated.
Dan'l smiled. "I think too well of Faith and of Brander to say it for you," he insisted.
Noll fell silent, his brows lowering for a space; then he waved his great hand harshly. "Bosh," he said. "Foolishness."
Dan'l nodded. "Of course. Nevertheless, I...." He fell silent; and Noll looked at him acutely.
"You—what?" he asked.
"I don't blame Mr. Brander, you understand," said Dan'l. "But—it's in my mind that—being with the crew as much as he is—he should put a stop to it."
Noll's eyes ranged the deck. Brander was amidships now; and Mauger was still with him. Mauger was scraping at the rail, cleaning away some traces of soot from the last trying out, under Brander's eye. They were talking together; and Noll frowned and looked at Dan'l and asked:
"You think Mr. Brander is too much with the crew?"