"An educated, clever young fellow like you with a pair of eyes on him and some sense too! Is that how a happy man looks?
Eh?
Young you may be, but you aren't a kid; and I dare you to say 'Yes!'" Mr.Powell did not take up the challenge.

He did not know what to think of the mate's view.

Still, it seemed as if it had opened his understanding in a measure.

He conceded that the captain did not look very well.
"Not very well," repeated the mate mournfully.

"Do you think a man with a face like that can hope to live his life out?
You haven't knocked about long in this world yet, but you are a sailor, you have been in three or four ships, you say.