His duty to the Seamen's Funds accomplished, the chairman passes on to other things. Just what they are depends upon his nationality. If he be a British chairman, his speech will be composed of throaty sounds, coughs, clearings of the throat, and mumblings, through which the quick ear of the auditor may catch the following remarks:
"As a matter of fact——"
"Don't you know——"
"I mean to say——"
Now and then there comes a British chairman with a wide oratorical scope. In his case these additional expressions will occur:
"After all, now——"
"You Americans——"
"Eh, what?"
With the American chairman it is different. You understand his speech and only wish you didn't. After telling you that "it is a great pleasure," he continues through allusions to:
"This international occasion——"