'Most noble and brave,' added Mrs. Macdougal softly.

The young man had a presentiment of mischief, and fortified himself.

'And,' the Captain continued, 'they have held a little meeting to consider
the idea of--ah, expressing their appreciation in a--er----hem!--an
adequate and proper manner.'

The Captain was quoting the chief orator--himself. He paused with an
expectant air, but Done was apparently quite impassive; evidently the
fact that the ladies and gentlemen of the first class wished to put on
record their very proper respect for British pluck and the positive
virtues by giving the hero of the moment an inscribed watch or a gold
locket did not appeal to this young man.

The pause became uneasy. If Jim had betrayed some confusion--blushed
stammered, protested--all would have been well; but he waited calmly.
Captain Evan had only two manners--his polished, first-class maimer and
his ship manner, the manner with which he worked the Francis Cadman--and
it was a mere step from one to the other. For a moment he was perilously
near assuming his natural and most successful manner, blasting Done to
the depths for a high-stomached, adjectival swab, and commanding him out
of hand to accept the proposed honours and emoluments with proper respect
and gratitude, and be hanged to him.

'Of course,' said Mrs. Macdougal gracefully, 'only if you approve, Mr.
Done.' But the inference was that he could do nothing less with such eyes
openly beseeching him.