I don't know if the captain did, but he called out--"Here! you lanky lad there, show your hands." "They're no idle set," said Alister, stretching them out.

He lifted his eyes as he said it, and I do not think he could have repressed the flash in them to save his life.

Every detail of the scene was of breathless interest to me, and as I watched to see if the captain took offence, I noticed that (though they were far less remarkable from being buried in a fat and commonplace countenance) his eyes, like Alister's, were of that bright, cold, sea-blue common among Scotchmen.

He did not take offence, and I believe I was right in thinking that the boy's wasted hands struck him much as they had struck me.
"Don't speak unless I question you.

How long will ye have been hanging round the docks before ye'd the impudence to come aboard here ?" "I slept four nights in the docks, sir." "And where did ye take your meals ?" A flush crept over Alister's bony face.