Steam was already up and the officer had barely left the vessel before she put to sea.
“Just as well to be clear away before he gets his second wind,” said Mr. Greatorex with a chuckle. In his spotless white ducks and blue cap he was enjoying himself already. “Did that uncommonly well, didn’t I, Tom?” he said. “What could be more useful than cooling apparatus when there’s a chance of getting into very hot water, eh?”
He took a run over the vessel as soon as she had made an offing. His yacht was a hobby, and whenever he went for a cruise he liked to examine her in the company of his officers, with whom, as with the crew, whom he knew individually, he was very popular. In the course of his inspection he came to the engine room.
“How do, Mr. Mumford!” he said genially to the engineer. “All in good order, eh?”
“Tip-top, sir. This is the neatest bit of machinery I’ve ever had to do with.”
“Glad to hear that. I say, is that a new stoker I see there? What’s become of Byles?”
“His mother is very ill, sir, and he had to cry off at the last moment. I was very lucky to get a man to fill the place.”
“Ha! Looks rather young, doesn’t he? Overgrown, perhaps. Any good?”
“Can’t tell yet, sir. I’ll let you know later on. He shapes very well. He’s a fine well-made young fellow; very willing, too. Byles said he’d go bail for him to any amount.”
“That’s all right. What’s his name?”