16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
exclusion of such men as Cook, the unstated
qualifications and the varying standards of
those who did the choosing, the impossibility
of appeal. He was still considering when, on
reaching the rail and turning, he noticed that
the young man in question, one of the ransomer
mates, was now present, together with
some others of those who were allowed to
walk the quarterdeck.
Four turns later he heard Reade's shrill cry of
'Oh no, sir, no. You cannot talk to the Captain,'
and he saw Dutourd headed off, admonished,
led firmly back to the group to leeward.
'But what did I do?' he cried, addressing
Stephen, who had just come up the companion-ladder.
'I only wished to congratulate him
on his playing.'
'My dear sir, you must not address the Captain,'
said Stephen.