Bit of a cry-baby I used to think him, but being a boy myself I was perhaps hard on him.

He was with his--well, his mother." Captain Clubbe paused.

He took the cigar from his lips and carefully replaced the outer leaf, which had wrinkled.

Perhaps he waited to be asked a question.

Colville glanced at him sideways and did not ask it.
"Dark night," the Captain continued, after a short silence, "and a heavy sea, about mid-channel off Dieppe.