[The Blue Pavilions by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch]@TWC D-Link book
The Blue Pavilions

CHAPTER VIII
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"It is right," he said to himself, "to resist when molested in a peaceful occupation.
Sighing is a peaceful occupation.

Therefore I must resist this man." In obedience to this valid conclusion he hit Sergeant Klomp in the stomach as he advanced, caught the cane out of his hand and belaboured him the entire length of the gun-deck.

It was impossible to do this without discommoding the legs of the company and annoying them beyond measure.

And consequently, at the end of ten minutes, Tristram found himself in irons in the lazarette, condemned to pass the night with two drunken men, whose snores were almost comforting in the pitchy darkness; for, as he told himself, human propinquity, if not exactly sympathy, is the first step towards it.

He had been listening to this snoring for four hours, when a hatchway above him was lifted, and a lantern shone down into the lazarette.


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