His sledge-hammer methods might be crude to the verge of brutality where Iris was concerned, but they were capable of nice adjustment in the case of wary old sea-dogs of the Coke type.
"It's stuffy in 'ere with the two of us smokin'-- let's stroll into the garden," he said.
Coke was agreeable.

He liked gardens; they were a change from the purple sea.
"It's the on'y bit of green stuff you seem to be fond of, Mr.Verity," he went on.

"You keep us crool short of vegetables." David's little eyes twinkled.

Here was another opening; it would not be his fault if it led again up a _cul-de-sac_.

He threw wide the window, and they crossed the lawn.
"Vegetables!" he cried.