"Is it?"
"It is indeed, Noddy. You must get used to it as quick as you can."
"I'll try," answered the cabin-boy; but he did not feel much like trying; on the contrary, he was more disposed to manifest his opposition, even at the risk of a "row," or even with the certain prospect of being worsted in the end.
Mollie, hoping that he would try, went aft again. She knew what her father was when partially intoxicated, and she feared that one who was high-spirited enough to face a dozen boys of his own size and weight, as Noddy had done in the street, would not endure the harsh usage of one made unreasonable by drinking. Some men are very cross and ugly when they are partially intoxicated, and very silly and good-natured when they are entirely steeped in the drunkard's cup. Such was Captain McClintock. If he continued his potations up to a certain point, he would pass from the crooked, cross-grained phase to that of the jolly, stupid, noisy debauchee. Entirely sober, he was entirely reasonable.
"Here, youngster!" called the captain, as he stepped forward to the waist, where Noddy was looking over the rail.
"Sir," replied Noddy rather stiffly, and without turning his head.
"Do you hear?" yelled the captain, filled with passion at the contempt with which he was treated by the boy.
"I hear," said Noddy, turning round as slowly as though he had a year in which to complete his revolution.
"Swab up that deck there; and if you don't move a little livelier than you have yet, I'll try a rope's end to your legs."
"No, you won't!" retorted Noddy, sharply, for he could endure a whipping as easily as he could a threat.