“Everybody has a little bit of it up here,” said Bervick and he rubbed his knees and wished the pain would go away.
“I never had it,” said the Chief as though it were something to be proud of.
“Why, I thought I saw you limping around today,” said Hodges.
“That was a bang I got in the williwaw. Just bruised my knee.”
“Well, I’ll see you all later.” Hodges walked toward the forward deck. The ship was pitching more than usual. The waves were becoming larger but overhead the sky was clearing and there was no storm in sight.
“Let’s get this done,” said Duval, “I’m getting cold.”
“That’s too bad. Maybe if you did some work you’d warm up.”
“Come on,” said Duval and he began to wrestle with the ventilator. It was six feet tall, as tall as Duval.
“That’s no way to move it,” said Bervick. He pushed the Chief away and he grasped the ventilator by the top. Slowly he worked it into place again. Duval watched him.
“See how simple it is,” said Bervick.