I came here some nine months before you; I had had one crop before
you came. I chose this place, because, having served last in a
little corvette, I knew I should feel more at home where I had a
constant opportunity of knocking my head against the ceiling.
Besides, it would never do for a man who had been aboard ship from
his boyhood to turn luxurious all at once. Besides, again; having
been accustomed to a very short allowance of land all my life, I
thought I'd feel my way to the command of a landed estate, by
beginning in boxes.'
Whimsically as this was said, there was a touch of merry
earnestness in it that made it doubly whimsical.
'However,' said the Lieutenant, 'I have talked quite enough about
myself. It is not my way, I hope; it has merely been to present
myself to you naturally. If you will allow me to take the liberty
I have described, it will be a charity, for it will give me
something more to do. And you are not to suppose that it will
entail any interruption or intrusion on you, for that is far from
my intention.'
Neville replied that he was greatly obliged, and that he thankfully
accepted the kind proposal.
'I am very glad to take your windows in tow,' said the Lieutenant.
'From what I have seen of you when I have been gardening at mine,
and you have been looking on, I have thought you (excuse me) rather
too studious and delicate. May I ask, is your health at all
affected?'
'I have undergone some mental distress,' said Neville, confused,
'which has stood me in the stead of illness.
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