"Yes," the captain said, emptying his glass, "do you amuse yourself greatly here? Answer me frankly."
"On my word, captain, as I never knew any other existence than that I am leading at this moment, I cannot answer your question thoroughly: it is certain that I feel myself hipped at times."
The captain struck his tongue against his palate with evident satisfaction.
"Ah, ah!" he said, "I am glad to hear you speak so."
"Why?"
"Because I hope you will easily accept the proposition I am about to make to you."
"You!"
"Who else, then, if not I?"
"Speak!" the young man said with a careless air; "I am listening."
The captain threw away his cigar, gave vent to two or three sonorous hums, and at length said in a sharp voice,—