I thought maybe--" He paused, turned the sailor over in his hand, whistled a few more bars of the dirge and then finished his sentence.

"I thought maybe you might like to ask questions about 'em," he concluded.
Mr.Bearse stared suspiciously at his companion, swallowed several times and, between swallows, started to speak, but each time gave it up.

Mr.Winslow appeared quite oblivious of the stare.

His brushes gave the wooden sailor black hair, eyes and brows, and an engaging crimson smile.

When Gabriel did speak it was not concerning names.
"Say, Jed," he cried, "HAVE you heard about Cap'n Sam Hunniwell?
'Bout his bein' put on the Exemption Board ?" His companion went on whistling, but he nodded.
"Um-hm," grunted Gabe, grudgingly.