The Admiral pulled at his moustache.
“I have to ask your permission before I attack, you know, Mynheer,” he said affectionately. “You have the authority—and the responsibility.”
“You know my opinion,” was the answer; “nothing but an engagement can save us—I would we were at work on it now—John agrees with me.”
“I would like to know how things go on land,” said de Ruyter.
A shade passed over the face of Cornelius de Witt.
“Almost I fear to know—with everything trusted to that boy.”
Michael de Ruyter nodded sombrely.
“At twenty-one!”
“His years are the least I have against him.”
“You do not trust him?”