"Don't drop it for the world." "I'm not going to, sir," and the 'longshoreman attempted to touch his hat as a mark of respect.
"Don't do that!" exclaimed the nervous man.

"You might drop it, and something would break." "All right, sir.

Very well, sir," and once more the 'longshoreman made as if to touch his hat.

It was a habit of his to do this whenever spoken to by those who employed him.
"There you go again!" cried the man in rather whining tones.

"Don't do it, I say! There! Keep your hands on the trunk!" Seeing that this last order was obeyed, the nervous man advanced up the gangplank.