“Oh, I’m very glad it was not. I was saying it was not by my wish that you are going ashore, for I think you would be all better employed in your cabin studying navigation.”
“Haven’t had a holiday for months, sir,” said Barkins, in a tone of remonstrance.
“Well, sir, what of that? Neither have I. Do you suppose that the discipline of Her Majesty’s ships is to be kept up by officers thinking of nothing else but holidays? Now, listen to me—As you are going—recollect that you are officers and gentlemen, and that it is your duty to bear yourselves so as to secure respect from the Chinese inhabitants of the town.”
“Yes, sir,” we said in chorus.
“You will be very careful not to get into any scrapes.”
“Of course, sir.”
“And you will bear in mind that you are only barbarians—”
“And foreign devils, sir.”
“Thank you, Mr Smith,” said the lieutenant sarcastically. “You need not take the words out of my mouth. I was going to say foreign devils—”
“I beg pardon, sir.”