“What is?” said Mr Rimmer, coming up; and the bird was held up for his inspection.
“Another kind of bird of Paradise?” he said.
“Yes, isn’t it lovely?”
“Very, gentlemen, but I want to talk to you about launching our lugger, she’s getting well on toward being ready.”
“Ready?” said Oliver. “Oh yes, of course. But don’t hurry, Mr Rimmer, we shan’t be ready to go for some time yet.”
“Mean it?” said Rimmer, smiling.
“Mean it!” cried Oliver, looking up from his bird. “Why, you don’t suppose we can go away from a place where such specimens as this are to be had. I can’t.”
“No,” said Panton, quietly, “since I got better I have been finding such a grand series of minerals that I must stay if I possibly can. What do you say, Drew?”
“It would be madness to hurry away.”
“And what about the niggers?” said Mr Rimmer, who looked amused.