“I object to your statement of my faith, father,” said Hardy.
“Now you know, Jack, you have said so, often.”
“I have said they must have stood up to row, and so—”
“You would have had awful confusion, Jack. You must have order between decks when you're going into action. Besides, the rowers had cushions.”
“That old heresy of yours again.”
“Well, but Jack, they had cushions. Didn't the rowers who were marched across the Isthmus to man the ships which were to surprise the Piraeus, carry their oars, thongs and cushions?”
“If they did, your conclusion doesn't follow, father, that they sat on them to row.”
“You hear, Mr. Brown,” said the Captain; “he admits my point about the cushions.”
“Oh, father, I hope you used to fight the French more fairly,” said Hardy.
“But didn't he? Didn't Jack admit my point?”