He was just fond of his partner.
"They go back, you may say fairly skipping, to the hotel, and find the wife of the captain at the open window, with her eyes on the ship as if she wanted to fly across the bay over there.

.

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Now then, Mrs.Dunbar, cries Cloete, you can't go, but I am going.

Any messages?
Don't be shy.
I'll deliver every word faithfully.