“Do”.
“Well, now, you are a fellow more in the counsels of Hogarth than another. I want to ask you right out frankly—is it a fact that Hogarth is choosing Admirals for the islands?”
“I believe it is”, answered Loveday with his long-bow smile of amusement: “I already know, for example, that Saltoun will admiral the Homer in the Indian Ocean, Vladimir the Ruskin in the Atlantic Crescent, and the young Marquis of Erroll the Justice in the Yellow Sea”.
“Those all?”
“All I know of. I believe, however, that Hogarth is in the throes of decision as to the rest”.
“I see”.
There was a silence full of Loveday's smile.
“But”, said O'Hara, “what I meant is this: you know what I have been to Hogarth; without me, what could the poor fellow have done, after all? I have taught him to think, to dance, and to dine. Now, then, I ask you right out frankly—am I, my son, in the list of Admirals?”
Loveday, flushing, started upright, and sank back. “No, I don't fancy that your name is among those entertained, O'Hara”.
“We will see about that. Woe to Hogarth, and to his advisers, if he dare slight O'Hara, my son! What! after preparing myself with toilsome zeal for this post? and after two promises from Hogarth's own lips—?”