"Only to think that I, who have just been blown up for my verses, am a midshipman in her Majesty's service.

I can hardly believe that it is true.

Oh, father, I have so wished to go to sea, but I have never said much about it because I thought you did not like it, and now to think of my getting it when I had quite given up all hope, and just at a time, too, when there seems to be a chance of a row.

What is it all about, father?
I have heard you say something about a dispute with Russia, but I never gave much attention to it." "The cause of the dispute is trumpery enough, and in itself wholly insufficient to cause a war between two great nations.

It began by a squabble about the holy places at Jerusalem, as to the rights of the Greek and Latin pilgrims respectively." "But what have we got to do with either the Latin or the Greek pilgrims ?" Jack asked.