The Letter of Marque by O'Brian, Patrick [01 April 2010] by O'Brian Patrick

Author:O'Brian, Patrick [O'Brian, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Adventure, War
Amazon: B00C7G9M04
Goodreads: 136961110
Publisher: Harper
Published: 1988-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

‘It is a little awkward, not having Killick here until tomorrow,’ said Jack Aubrey, helping Stephen to a great piece of the veal and ham pie that Sophie had put up for their supper, ‘but I would not have had him here this evening for a hundred pound. He is somewhat given to listening, you know, and although I spoke perfectly sincerely to the Sethians, I could not have carried on about moral duty and the rest with him in earshot.’

‘When shall we see the men from Ashgrove?” asked Stephen.

‘About four in the afternoon, I believe, if all goes well and the coach don’t overset. About the same time as Pullings.”

‘Well, that is the black dismal news, upon my soul. I forgot to put up a clean shirt, and I had forgot to change this one last week, and in their swelling pride and glory now that they have two guineas to rub together the gunroom mean to ask us to dinner tomorrow so that you may be introduced to Mrs Martin. I have a great esteem for her, and should not wish to appear a shoneen dragged in from the Liberties.’ He looked at the cuff of his shirt, which had been somewhat squalid before their long night in the greasy chaise, and which was now a disgrace to the ship.

‘What a fellow you are, Stephen,’ said Jack. ‘After all these years at sea you still have no notion of life aboard. Give your shirt to any old Surprise you have cured of the pox or the flux, any Surprise you like to name - Warren, Hurst, Farrell, anyone - and he will wash it in fresh water abaft the scuttle-butt, dry it in the galley and give it you in the morning. In the meanwhile you walk about in a dressing-gown. I shall look forward to seeing Mrs Martin at last, particularly as you so rarely praise a woman. What is she like?’

‘Oh, she has no pretensions to beauty, at all. She has no pretensions of any kind for that matter, intellectual, artistic or social. She is neither tall nor slim and on occasion she wears spectacles; but she is perfectly well bred and she has so sweet a nature and such a fund of good humour that she is a most valuable companion.’

‘I remember your telling me that she nursed Martin quite devotedly after you had opened his belly. I shall be happy to have the meeting at dinner-time, because a few hours later it would be too late, and I should not wish to seem wanting in attention. But as soon as Pullings and Bonden and Killick and the rest are aboard I believe we can put to sea: there may still be a little to fetch in the way of stores and perhaps I may be able to pick up a cook; but this tide or the next will see us out in the Channel.’

‘You astonish me, brother: I am amazed. The Diane does not sail until the thirteenth.

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