Now go down below.

I would have requested the pleasure of your company to dinner, but I perceive that something else has occurred, which, under any other circumstances, I would have inquired into, but at present I shall not." I touched my hat and went below.

In the meantime, O'Brien had been made acquainted with the occasion of the quarrel, which he did not fail to explain to Mr Falcon, who, O'Brien declared, "was not the least bit in the world angry with me for what had occurred." Indeed, after that, Mr Falcon always treated me with the greatest kindness, and employed me on every duty which he considered of consequence.

He was a sincere friend; for he did not allow me to neglect my duty, but, at the same time, treated me with consideration and confidence.
The marine officer came on board very angry at being left behind, and talked about a court-martial on me for disrespect, and neglect of stores entrusted to my charge; but O'Brien told me not to mind him, or what he said.

"It's my opinion, Peter, that the gentleman has eaten no small quantity of _flap-doodle_ in his lifetime." "What's that, O'Brien ?" replied I; "I never heard of it." "Why, Peter," rejoined he, "it's the stuff they _feed fools on_.".