"You were a man once, weren't you?" he asked.
"I suppose so," answered Jerry, hanging his head. "At least, you ought to know," he added, a little bitterly.
"Well, do you want to be a man again?"
Jerry was looking at the deck. He raised his eyes slowly till they plunged into the surgeon's.
"Can you do it?" he asked, steadily. "I can't!"
The officer's manner softened.
"Well, here's the matter. I'm short of Health men. I need somebody on this derelict. You are the man; you're in quarantine, anyway."
Jerry waited for more.
"This afternoon the lorcha will be towed behind the breakwater. She'll be in strict quarantine. You'll be in charge. I'll give you disinfectants and medicines. You'll keep the boat clean, and you'll attend the sick. Whenever somebody tumbles over, run up the yellow flag and we'll come after him as soon as we can. Every morning I'll come around and see how you are getting along."
"How long will it last?" asked Jerry.