He bowed.
"But I think you mentioned tea ?" she said.

"Did I hear you say it was orange pekoe, or did I dream that?
And couldn't we have it on deck ?" While Kuroki was bringing a table and chairs on deck and busying himself about that preparation of tea, Cleggett watched Elmer, the squat young man, with a growing curiosity.

George and Cap'n Abernethy were also watching Elmer from a discreet distance.

Even Kuroki, silent, swift, and well-trained Kuroki, could not but steal occasional glances at Elmer.

Had Cleggett been of a less lofty and controlled spirit he would certainly have asked questions.
For Elmer, having uncovered the zinc can and taken from it a hammer and a large tin funnel, proceeded to break the big chunk of ice which Kuroki had brought him, into half a dozen smaller pieces.