`Very true ?' Of course, what I say is very true.

Do you think I should say a thing that was false ?" "Beg pardon, sir.

'Fraid I picked up some awk'ard expressions aboard the old frigate." "Awk-ward, Mr Gurr, awkward." "Yes, sir; of course." "You do not understand the drift of my remarks." "'Fraid not, sir," said the master, smiling; "understand drift of the tide much better." "Mr Gurr!" "Yes, sir." "I was trying to teach you to pronounce the king's English correctly, and you turn it off with a ribald remark." "Beg pardon, sir.

'Nother o' my frigate bad habits." "It is a great privilege, Mr Gurr, to be one of those who speak the English tongue, so do not abuse it.

Say awk-ward in future, not awk'ard." "Certainly, sir, I'll try," said the master; and then to himself, "Starboard, larboard, for'ard, back'ard, awk'ard.