Even when the east wind sang in minor and the sea was dead and gray, hints of sunshine seemed to be lurking all about it.

Perhaps this was because the First Mate always paraded it in panoply of gold.

He was so large and effulgent that one hardly missed the sun, and his resounding purrs formed a pleasant accompaniment to the laughter and conversation which went on around Captain Jim's fireplace.

Captain Jim and Gilbert had many long discussions and high converse on matters beyond the ken of cat or king.
"I like to ponder on all kinds of problems, though I can't solve 'em," said Captain Jim.

"My father held that we should never talk of things we couldn't understand, but if we didn't, doctor, the subjects for conversation would be mighty few.