“Of course, you can’t go away and hide,” said Dickie to Bob with sudden suspicion.
“No; you can’t do that,” from Clarence. “Or get yourself arrested and locked up for three weeks! That wouldn’t be fair, old chap.”
“Bob understands he’s got to go on in the even tenor of his way,” said the commodore.
Bob nodded. “Just as if nothing had happened!” he observed. “I’ll not seek, or I’ll not shirk. I’m on honor, you understand.”
“That’s good enough for me!” said Dickie. “Bob’s honest.”
“And me!” from Clarence.
“And me!” from half a dozen other good souls, including the non-aqueous commodore.
“Gentlemen, I thank you,” said Bob, affected by this outburst of confidence. “I thank you for this display of—this display—”
“Cut it!”
“Cork it up! And speaking of corks—”