Pearson divined his perplexity and explained.
"I've had a feeling," he said, "that I might write magazine articles and stories--yes, possibly a novel or two.

It's a serious disease, but the only way to find out whether it's chronic or not is to experiment.
That's what I'm doing now.

The thing I'm at work on may turn out to be a sea story.

So I spend some time around the wharves and aboard the few sailing ships in port, picking up material." Captain Elisha patted him on the back.
"Now don't you get discouraged," he said.

"I used to have an idea that novel writin' and picture paintin' was poverty jobs for men with healthy appetites, but I've changed my mind.