The captain, who was waiting for more beef, became restless.
"I hope my plate isn't in your way," he said, at last.
"Not at all," said the other, absently.
"Perhaps you'll pass it back to me, then," said the captain.
Mr.Tredgold, still deep in thought, complied.

"I wish I could persuade you to have a little more," he said, in tones of polite regret.

"I've often noticed that big men are small eaters.

I wonder why it is ?" "Sometimes it is because they can't get it, I expect," said the indignant captain.
Mr.Tredgold said that no doubt that was the case sometimes, and was only recalled to the true position of affairs by the hungry captain marching up to the beef and carving for himself.
"I'm sorry," he said, with a laugh.

"I was thinking of something else.
I wonder whether you would let me use the crow's-nest for a day or two?
There's a place we have got on our hands, a mile or two out, and I want to keep my eye on it." The captain, his good humour quite restored, preserved his gravity with an effort.