Professor Hamblin looked unusually gloomy and morose, but he labored perseveringly to keep up his dignity. Paul sat at the head of the table, ordinarily with his officers on each side of him in the order of their rank; but on the present occasion, Dr. Winstock occupied the place at his right. At the opposite end of the board was Mr. Hamblin, with the fat professor on his right. Behind the captain's chair stood the head steward, while the second steward was stationed near the instructors.
Mr. Hamblin occasionally cast a furtive glance at the young commander; but Paul seemed to be as composed as though nothing had happened to disturb the friendly relations between them. Though he did not observe it, Terrill persisted that the learned gentleman looked "ugly," and would make another row as soon as he could get a chance.
"I can see through the mainsail when there is a hole in it," said the executive officer to Pelham, when they went on deck again. "If there wasn't mischief in Mr. Hamblin's eye, there never was mischief in any man's eye."
"What do you mean?" asked Pelham.
"You know the old lunatic threatened to have the captain suspended for leaving the class. He failed in that, and if he don't try it again, I'm mistaken in the man."
"Of course he won't make any more complaints till he has something to complain of, and Paul won't give him a chance."
"I don't suppose he will voluntarily; but his conduct will be distorted. I tell you the professor is ugly, and he hates the captain as badly as a Christian can."
"He hasn't improved his popularity on board by what he has done."
"Every fellow on the Josephine is down upon him. There'll be a row on board soon, in my opinion," added Terrill, as Dr. Winstock and Paul came on deck.
A boat was lowered to send the surgeon on board the ship. Paul accompanied him; and on the way they went up to the gangway of the Victoria and Albert, and ascertained that visitors would be admitted to the ship on the following day, from ten till four.