“Indeed, sir.”
“You don’t like your little secrets to be known.”
“Ah? Oh. I forgot to ask, Mr. Stukeley. How is Mrs. Stukeley?”
“She’s very well, thanks. You didn’t think I’d learn your little secret about the men of war.”
“I didn’t think one way or the other. You’d have known some day sure enough. I needn’t disguise the fact. Yes. We’ve just got thirty of them, to join at an hour’s notice.”
“When we sail? When will that be?”
“We ought to a gone to-day. Only our foretopmast’s sprung. We have to wait for a new one. But you know yourself, sir. We may have to sail at an hour’s notice, spar or no spar.”
“Thank you for reminding me. You’re a person of great delicacy, Cammock. For one of your rank in life.”
“I believe I am, sir. Let it go at that.”
“Can we sail at an hour’s notice?”