"I always give you the plums if I can, my boy," he said.

"I said to him, 'Me and my son, we're partners.

Going out with him is just the same as going out with me, and p'raps a bit better, for he's got the better boat.' So he sheered off, and said maybe he'd look you up in the evening." "Maybe I shan't be there," commented Rufus.
The coxswain chuckled, and lashed out an end of rope, narrowly missing his son's brawny legs.

"He's not such a soft one as he looks, that chap," he observed.

"Not by no manner of means.