I had a strong suspicion that he wanted to be convinced, and was playing indifference to soothe his conscience.
"Well," said I at last, "have you any fault to find with my reasoning or my simile ?" "With your simile--none.

It is faultlessly perfect.

You have not mixed up your metaphors in the least.

Crib, stocks, ocean, ship--all correct, and very nautical.

As for your reasoning, I do not believe there is anything in it.