“What for?” said Brace sharply.
“Just for a chat. Folks get friendly when they’re thrown together in an out-of-the-way place like this. I took to you as soon as I saw you. Brother up yet?”
“No, he is not,” said Brace surlily.
“Ha, ha!” laughed the man. “You want your breakfast.”
“Do I?” said Brace. “You seem to know.”
“A man don’t want to be very knowing to find out that. One always feels a bit snappish first thing. You’re going down to have a look at the skipper’s brig.”
“Well, really—,” began Brace.
“Don’t be huffy, squire. It’s quite natural that you should.”
“And pray why, sir? I saw the vessel lying moored yonder yesterday.”
“Of course, but when one’s going for a voyage in a ship one likes to look at her a bit.”