Well, damme, William, I am sorry: I am very sorry, indeed I am. But injustice is a rule of the service, as you know very well; and since you have to have a good deal of undeserved abuse, you might just as well have it from your friends.

“Jack, you've debauched my sloth.”

“Not that I mean the least fling against men who have won a great fleet action -…”

“Oh for women at sea to obviate the eternal crosscat-harpings,' he said to himse…”

“I am in favour of leaving people alone, however imperfect their polity may seem…”