“Then perhaps I did not recollect them exactly myself: however, be of good heart; I will have the whole matter explained to the first lieutenant.”
“Pray do; only get me out of this. I don’t want the glass back.”
“I’ll have it done directly,” replied I.
As I went away, Bob Cross came up, and said I was wanted by the first lieutenant in the gun-room. “Don’t be afraid,” said he: “they’ve been laughing at it already, and the first lieutenant is it a capital humour; still he’ll serve you out well; you must expect that.”
“Shall I make him the sign, Cross?” replied I, laughing.
“No, no; you’ve gone far enough, and too far already; mind what I say to you.”
I went down into the gun-room, when a tittering ceased as the sentry opened the door, and I walked in.
“Did you want me, sir?” said I to the first lieutenant, touching my hat, and looking very demure.
“So, Mr Keene, I understand it was you who have been practising upon Mr Green, and teaching him insult and disrespect to his superior officers on the quarter-deck. Well, sir?”
I made no reply, but appeared very penitent.