It struck me he had been very long doing his shopping; but naturally I made no remark.

I didn't want to talk at all except for the purpose of setting him going." "And did you set him going ?" I asked.
"I did," said Marlow, composing his features into an impenetrable expression which somehow assured me of his success better than an air of triumph could have done.
* * * * * "You made him talk ?" I said after a silence.
"Yes, I made him.

.

.

about himself." "And to the point ?" "If you mean by this," said Marlow, "that it was about the voyage of the _Ferndale_, then again, yes.