The walking couples stood still suddenly, with broad grins; a man,
bending over a wash-tub, sat up, entranced, with the soapsuds flecking
his wet arms. Even the three petty officers listened leaning back,
comfortably propped, and with superior smiles. Belfast left off
scratching the ear of his favourite pig, and, open mouthed, tried with
eager eyes to have his say. He lifted his arms, grimacing and baffled.
From a distance Charley screamed at the ring:--"I know about gentlemen
more'n any of you. I've been intermit with 'em.... I've blacked their
boots." The cook, craning his neck to hear better, was scandalised.
"Keep your mouth shut when your elders speak, you impudent young
heathen--you." "All right, old Hallelujah, I'm done," answered Charley,
soothingly. At some opinion of dirty Knowles, delivered with an air of
supernatural cunning, a ripple of laughter ran along, rose like a wave,
burst with a startling roar. They stamped with both feet; they turned
their shouting faces to the sky; many, spluttering, slapped their
thighs; while one or two, bent double, gasped, hugging themselves with
both arms like men in pain. The carpenter and the boatswain, without
changing their attitude, shook with laughter where they sat; the
sailmaker, charged with an anecdote about a Commodore, looked sulky; the
cook was wiping his eyes with a greasy rag; and lame Knowles, astonished
at his own success, stood in their midst showing a slow smile.
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