"Ocean," said Mr. Banks.
"No," said Mr. Effingham, "certainly not--nothing of the sort."
"Not when you and he," pointing to the ceiling, "was together?"
"Certainty not."
"Ah!" said Mr. Banks, "kept at home, I suppose; it ain't so dangerous or such hard work at home, is it?--Portsmouth and round there?"
"It's hard enough at Portsmouth, from what I've heard," said Mr. Effingham; "that diggin' away at Southsea's dreadful work."
"Diggin' aboard ship!" said Banks in astonishment.
"How do you mean 'aboard ship'?" said the other.
"Why, I'm talkin' of when you and him was on board the--what was it?--you know--Albatross."
"Oh!" said Mr. Effingham, greatly relieved, and bursting into a fit of laughter; "we went everywhere then. And that's where I learned something I don't mind teaching you."