“You are always too timid of the weather, Mr. Barns,” observed Mr. Elliot, the long-faced gentleman: “a moderate sermon, such as Warburton spoke of, no man can object to. Those things, in my opinion, should not be entirely neglected, were it but for the sake of example to the youngsters and ship’s company.”
“Example!” repeated Barns; “that’s all very proper ashore, sir; and no man set a better example to his flock, when on terra firma, than I did; but I have no idea of being made an example of myself, in the fullest sense of the word, by having my pulpit blown over board, as might be the case, were it erected on deck without due regard to the weather, Mr. Elliot.”
“Nay, nay, Barns!” interrupted Warburton, “there can be no danger of that, when you are in it!”
“I don’t sail without ballast, I grant you, sir. But here comes the broil!” said Barns.
The bluff gentleman, Mr. Thomson, asked the steward, as he entered, how the day was on deck.
“Very fine, sir.”
“Will it do for the pulpit?” asked Mr. Jones, the red-haired gentleman.
“The pulpit is erected already, sir, by order of the captain,” replied the steward.