"I can get along without you," added Shuffles, with assumed indifference.
"I would rather have you do so."
"All right; but you will want to come in when we have got along a little farther."
"Perhaps I shall; if I do, I suppose the door will be open to me."
"It may be open; but perhaps you can't walk into the cabin then."
"Why not?"
"Do you suppose the fellows who do the burden of the work are going to be shut out of the cabin? If you join at the eleventh hour, you will have to be what you are now—a foremast hand."
"What can I be if I join now?"
"Second or third officer."
"Who will be first."