“The games for high stakes are played in there,” said Hornblower, pointing to the curtained door. “I stay here.”
“Wise man,” said Bush. But he was quite sure there was some further information that was being withheld from him. And he was not actuated by simple curiosity. The affection and the interest that he felt towards Hornblower drove him into further questioning.
“Do you win?” he asked.
“Frequently,” said Hornblower. “Enough to live.”
“But you have your half pay?” went on Bush.
Hornblower yielded in face of this persistence.
“No,” he said. “I’m not entitled.”
“Not entitled?” Bush’s voice rose a semitone. “But you’re a permanent lieutenant.”
“Yes. But I was a temporary commander. I drew three months’ full pay for that rank before the Admiralty refused to confirm.”
“And then they put you under stoppages?”