"Can he be seen?"
"Yes, he's quite conscious."
I followed my father to the shelter-tent, under which the wounded seaman lay.
"Well, Barnes, how goes it—better?" he asked, with a forced cheerfulness.
"No, sir, though 'tain't no good making a fuss about it. My number's up."
"Nonsense, man! you'll soon be all right again, I hope."
"All right aloft, sir, please God. I'm real glad you've come to see me, Cap'n, for there'll be one or two little things I want squared up."
"I'll do anything I can."
"Well, sir, there's my medal for South Africa, with three clasps: would you mind accepting it as a kind o' keepsake from me? An' there's the good-conduct medal, too. That ain't of much account compared with t'other, but p'r'aps Mister Reginald would 'ave it."
"Thank you, Barnes; but have you no friends to give them to?"