But remember that all sailors are more or less superstitious: it is bred in them; it is constitutional, and I am afraid there's a good deal of the sailor in me yet." Remembering Hungerford, I said: "I know that sailors are superstitious, the most seasoned of them are that.

But it means nothing.

I may think or feel that there is going to be a plague, but I should not enlarge the insurance on my life because of it." He put his hand on my shoulder and looked down at me earnestly.

"But, Marmion, these things, I assure you, are not matters of will, nor yet morbidness.

They occur at the most unexpected times.