Starbuck tried not to stare. "Aye, sir."
The captain took a step and grabbed the small of his back. "Haven't done it in some time, though. Ought to do it more often, eh, Ben?"
"I suppose so, sir."
"Well," Birdsel said, clapping his hands together.
My God, Starbuck thought, he's not going to do it again.
"Well," the captain continued, still on both feet, "I'd better show you to your quarters, my boy. Mind if I lean on your shoulder a bit like this?"
"Not at all, Captain."
"This way, Ben, this way."
II