The mate grew excited.
“Listen! What’s the matter with you? Don’t you know discipline?”
Rio got up. He didn’t say anything but his heavy brown face looked down with contempt.
The officer tried to retain his dignity.
“Why did you raise hell in the wheelhouse?” he asked.
Rio continued to look down at him.
“Because I’m a quiet-livin’ man. I’m modest. And I don’t like to be intimate.”
The second mate’s face turned red.
“Show me your union book,” he said briefly.