.

.

George owns up: No--would be no better than a squeamish ass if he thought that, after all these years in business.
"Cloete looks at him hard--Never thought of _selling_ the ship.

Expected the blamed old thing wouldn't fetch half her insured value by this time.
Then George flies out at him.

What's the meaning, then, of these silly jeers at ship-owning for the last three weeks?
Had enough of them, anyhow.
"Angry at having his mouth made to water, see.