‘While this lasts, not a man shall leave the ship. Gather ye rose-pods while ye may, as dear Christy-Pallière used to say.’ ‘May you not find the men grow wilful and discontented? May they not, with a united mind, rush violently from the ship?’ ‘They will not be pleased. But they know we must catch the monsoon with a well-found ship; and they know they are in the Navy – they have chosen their cake, and must lie on it.’ ‘You mean, they cannot have their bed and eat it.’ ‘No, no, it is not quite that, neither. I mean – I wish you would not confuse my mind, Stephen.
