But Mr Ferguson was not a sailor, or he would have known that it is the custom to reduce the grace in proportion with the canvas.

When the royals are set, we submit to a homily; under double-reefed topsails, a blessing; but under storm stay-sails, an ejaculation is considered as orthodox.
"Mrs Ferguson, will you permit me to send you a little mulligatawny ?" said Captain Drawlock: "If you prefer it, there is sheep's head broth at the other end of the table." "Then I will take a little of the broth, if you please, Captain Drawlock." "Mr Mathews, Mrs Ferguson will take some broth.

I am sorry, Mrs Ferguson, that our table is so ill supplied; but a long voyage and bad weather has been very fatal to our hen-coops." "Indeed, Captain Drawlock, you need not apologise." Nor was there any occasion, for the table was loaded.
"Perhaps Miss Laura Revel will permit me to send her a slice of this mutton ?" said the obsequious colonel.
"No, I thank you; I have eaten nothing but mutton lately.

I think I shall be a sheep myself soon," added the young lady, tittering.
"That would be very much against your inclination, I should think, Miss Laura," observed Mrs Ferguson, tartly.
"La! why so?
how do you know, Mrs Ferguson ?" "Because a sheep never changes its name until after it is dead.

I shrewdly suspect you would like to change yours before."-- (This was a hard hit.) "As you have yours, Mrs Ferguson," quietly answered Isabel, in support of her sister.
"Very fair on both sides," said the colonel, bowing to the ladies, who sat together.