slightest temperamental accord. But I have observed that profane men
living in ships like the holy men gathered together in monasteries
develop traits of profound resemblance. This must be because the service
of the sea and the service of a temple are both detached from the
vanities and errors of a world which follows no severe rule. The men of
the sea understand each other very well in their view of earthly things,
for simplicity is a good counsellor and isolation not a bad educator. A
turn of mind composed of innocence and scepticism is common to them all,
with the addition of an unexpected insight into motives, as of
disinterested lookers-on at a game. Mr. Powell took me aside to say,

"I like the things he says."

"You understand each other pretty well," I observed.

"I know his sort," said Powell, going to the window to look at his cutter
still riding to the flood. "He's the sort that's always chasing some
notion or other round and round his head just for the fun of the thing."

"Keeps them in good condition," I said.

"Lively enough I dare say," he admitted.

"Would you like better a man who let his notions lie curled up?"

"That I wouldn't," answered our new acquaintance. Clearly he was not
difficult to get on with. "I like him, very well," he continued, "though
it isn't easy to make him out. He seems to be up to a thing or two.
What's he doing?"