"I suppose she got the sack?" Jack asked.
"Oh no. Lady Cleeve is quite interested in her. The footman was discharged."
"Serve him right."
There was an awkward pause in the conversation, then Jack spoke again. "Do you remember a man called Bounce sailing with you, uncle? A sailor, an A.B., a boxer."
"Bounce? Bounce?"
"He was on the 'Mediterranean.'"
"Ah! Yes! I remember. Bull-dog Bounce, they called him; he had half a dozen other nicknames, too. I remember one night hearing a voice on the lower deck, 'Halgernon Hedward, I shall tell your ma'ma of you.' He was a splendid fellow, great pity he left the Service."
"Yes. He's sorry himself now. He's an engine-driver with us."
"A pity, a great pity! He dived overboard once in the Indian Ocean, swarming with sharks, to get his straw hat which had dropped over. I had to reprimand him for quitting the ship without leave."
They all laughed, and the sailor launched into a host of anecdotes.