He used to look after his property--a few vineyards scattered along the coast in sight of his home--and was in frequent correspondence with his son, the notary.

From time to time there came a letter from the younger one, his favorite, posted in remote countries that the old Mediterranean seaman knew only by hearsay.

And during his long, dull hours in the shade of his arbor facing the blue and luminous sea, he used to entertain himself constructing these little models of boats.

They were all frigates of great tonnage and fearless sail.

Thus the old skipper would console himself for having commanded during his lifetime only heavy and clumsy merchant vessels like the ships of other centuries, in which he used to carry wine from Cette or cargo prohibited in Gibraltar and the coast of Africa.
Ulysses was not long in recognizing the rare popularity enjoyed by his uncle, the doctor--a popularity composed of the most antagonistic elements.