"If anything, he is too open-handed.

What I meant was that he isn't lazy." "He seems to be very fond of coming to see you," said Prudence, by way of encouragement.
"Ah!" said the captain, "and----" He stopped abruptly as the girl faced round.

"And ?" she prompted.
"And the crow's-nest," concluded the captain, somewhat lamely.
There was no longer room for doubt.

Scarce two months ashore and he was trying his hand at matchmaking.

Fresh from a world of obedient satellites, and ships responding to the lightest touch of the helm, he was venturing with all the confidence of ignorance upon the most delicate of human undertakings.