"Mr. Cantwell is a great man; Mr. Cantwell is a profound scholar; Mr. Cantwell knows what's what. Why, he is so much above us common, humdrum sort of fellows, that we ought to get down on our knees when he condescends to show himself."
"Exactly so, Scott. And, unless we can get this change in the tenure of office—"
"Hold on! Will you oblige me by translating that high-flown expression?"
"Of course you know what the expression means," replied Beckwith, impatiently.
"Perhaps I do; but I want to know what you mean by it."
"I mean a change in the manner in which the offices are obtained and held."
"You mean right, as you always do."
"Well, unless we get this change at once, Cantwell will be the next captain."
"He can't well be captain, and he can't well be otherwise."