I was horribly vexed and apologized for that intrusion, saying that the fellow was a future great sculptor and perfectly harmless; but he had been swallowing lots of night air which had got into his head apparently.
Mills peered at me with his friendly but awfully searching blue eyes through the cloud of smoke he had wreathed about his big head.

The slim, dark Captain's smile took on an amiable expression.

Might he know why I was addressed as "Young Ulysses" by my friend?
and immediately he added the remark with urbane playfulness that Ulysses was an astute person.
Mills did not give me time for a reply.

He struck in: "That old Greek was famed as a wanderer--the first historical seaman." He waved his pipe vaguely at me.
"Ah! _Vraiment_!" The polite Captain seemed incredulous and as if weary.

"Are you a seaman?
In what sense, pray ?" We were talking French and he used the term _homme de mer_.
Again Mills interfered quietly.