“Yes. The skipper is off to sea.”
“Oh, but you might find time for that. A man must eat. Ask the boss to give you leave.”
“Humph! I hardly like to ask him, as the time for sailing is so near; but well, there, I will.”
“That’s right. Come and dine at the hotel just for a pleasant chat. Wish I’d been coming with you on your voyage.”
“I begin to wish you were,” said the mate, smiling. “You’d have found me handy when you wanted to ask questions.”
The American looked at the speaker keenly, and then smiled.
“I understand,” he said. “So you think I ask a lot?”
“Well, yes,” said the mate, laughing. “You are pretty good at it.”
“I suppose so. Way I’ve got. Pick up knowledge that how. Seems to me the way to learn. Hullo! What are they doing with your ship?”
“Warping her out again so as to be ready for dropping down when we start.”