Jed, on the lookout for just such symptoms, was trying to cheer him up.
"Oh, all right enough, I guess," was the reply.
"Like your work as well as ever, don't you ?" "Yes--oh, yes, I like it, what there is of it.

It isn't what you'd call strenuous." "No, I presume likely not, but I shouldn't wonder if they gave you somethin' more responsible some of these days.

They know you're up to doin' it; Cap'n Sam's told me so more'n once." Here occurred one of the lapses just mentioned.

Phillips said nothing for a minute or more.

Then he asked: "What sort of a man is Captain Hunniwell ?" "Eh?
What sort of a man?
You ought to know him yourself pretty well by this time.