He looked at Clubbe, and at no one else, as if the Captain and he were alone in the cabin where they had passed so many years together in fair weather, to bring out that which is evil in a man, and foul, to evolve the good.
"What do YOU say ?" he asked, in English, and he must have known that Captain Clubbe understood French better than he was ready to admit.
Clubbe passed his hand slowly across his cheek and chin, not in order to gain time, or because he had not an answer ready, but because he came of a slow-speaking race.

His answer had been made ready weeks before while he sat on the weather-beaten seat set against the wall of "The Black Sailor" at Farlingford.
"Tide's turned," he answered, simply.

"You'd better get your oilskins on again and go." "Yes," said Loo, with a queer laugh.

"I fancy I shall want my oilskins." The boat which had been sent from Royan, at the order of the pilot, who went ashore there, had followed "The Last Hope" up the river, and was now lying under the English ship's stern awaiting her two passengers and the turn of the tide.
Dormer Colville glanced at the cabin clock.
"Then," he said, briskly, "let us be going.

It will be late enough as it is before we reach my cousin's house." He turned and translated his remark for the benefit of the Marquis and Juliette, remembering that they must needs fail to understand a colloquy in the muttered and clipped English of the east coast.