He walked with his coat flying open, his thumbs stuck into the arm-holes of his waistcoat.
He had been making divers complaints of divers persons, and the captain had hitherto appeared imperturbable. Captain Plumbton was an even-tempered man, who was satisfied with a good dinner. Lieutenant Markitall was an odd-tempered man, who would quarrel with his bread and butter.
'Quite impossible, sir,' continued the first lieutenant, 'to carry on the duty without support.'
This oracular observation, which, from the relative forms of the two parties, descended as it were from above, was replied to by the captain with a 'Very true.'
'Then, sir, I presume you will not object to my putting that man in the report for punishment?'
'I'll think about it, Mr. Markitall.' This, with Captain Plumbton, was as much as to say, No.
'The young gentlemen, sir, I am sorry to say, are very troublesome.'
'Boys always are,' replied the captain.