Now I've let the cat out of the bag.
I'm sorry, ole man--pon me soul, I am--but w'en Dickey's name crops up on 'Change you know as well as me 'ow many captain's tickets will be backed wi' t' brass." This time, if so minded, the robin might have trilled his song _adagio con sostenuto_ without fear of interruption by those harsh voices.
Neither man spoke during so long a time that the break seemed to impose a test of endurance; in such a crisis, he who has all at stake will yield rather than he who only stakes a part.
"S'pose we talk plainly as man to man ?" said Coke thickly, at last.
"_I_ can't talk much plainer," said Verity.
"Yes, you can.

Promise me the command of your next ship, an' the Andromeda goes on the rocks this side o' Monte Video." Verity jumped as though he had been stung by an infuriated wasp.
"Coke, I'm surprised at you," he grunted, not without a sharp glance around to make sure no other was near.
"No, you ain't, not a bit surprised, on'y you don't like to 'ear it in cold English.

That's wot you're drivin' at--the insurance." "Shut up, you ijjit.

Never 'eard such d--d rot in all me born days." "Listen to it now, then.

It's good to 'ave the truth tole you some times.