“I see.... Are you undergoing any kind of—er—punishment at present, or is this the customary routine?”
“We are not under punishment, sir.”
“And you feel fit?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And happy?”
Driss, genuinely surprised, looked up at him, and after an instant’s pause answered, “Yes, sir,” in a voice which was somehow not so steady as he could have wished.
“I see. That will do.”
The Captain swung round on his heel and went below to his cabin.
“Messenger!... Tell the Engineer-Commander to speak to me.”