YA - Chapter Nine - shipmates and others

[ylla]

Unhappily there was no time for blacking the yards, but at least everything that should be taut was tautened with tackles, Spanish buttons or just plain heaving staves, while the dirtier midshipmen were sent below to wash, while all were desired to brush their hair, change their shirts and put on gloves. Aboard the Bellona every urgent measure had

Comments

Cleaning

[esteven]

Oh, how I wish for a couple of seamen to do my flat every once in a while. :D

Re: Cleaning

[ylla]

I don't know. Like Stephen, I'd rather have my space messy in my way, than tidied in someone else's way...

Re: Cleaning

[esteven]

Most of the time I like my mess, but thinking of my rather large windows, I would appreciate help. I am certain that once the sailors are done with them, my windows would not need cleaning for another three to four months. :D

Re: Cleaning

[heather_mist]

Except they would do them again the next week... whether they needed it or not!

I have to admit, Naval training doesn't always stick - I've had some, and know how to clean, tidy and fold clothes to rigorous Naval standards, but I'm as lazy as all get-out and can tolerate quite high levels of squalor for a surprisingly long length of time!

Honest Killick?

[esteven]

'Good Killick, honest Killick, pray grind it as fast as human power allows and make up a noble great pot.'
Killick had never been called honest before and he was not at all sure how he liked it now. He sidled out, with suspicious glances back into the cabin.

I don't even know if I like that? Goodness, Stephen must be desperate for coffee.

Re: Honest Killick?

[heather_mist]

*Hinapus alert!*

So desperate that for a whole month he forgot he had brought back the Troy pound of Mocha even though they were down to a brew that was merely hot, wet and looks like coffee? And perhaps if Killick had been less good and honest, he would have rummaged through Stephen's things before now and found it?!

Seriously though, I think it's yet another editorial slip - this whole breakfast conversation should have happened when he first came back but there is a 'rogue paragraph' moving the timeframe on a month which hasn't been picked up.

I understand the craving a little, - I'm one of these people who shouldn't really be spoken to until at least halfway down the first mug of the day, and don't expect me to actually do anything until I've finished it!

Re: Honest Killick?

[esteven]

He might have been too busy spleen hunting?

I do agree with you. This breakfast scene, much as I like it, ought to have happened a couple of days after Stephen returned and not a month later.

You are? Well, guess who else?

Re: Honest Killick?

[heather_mist]

Ummmmm..... ;-)!!

I would offer you a cup, but I suspect it's rather late on here for that. Perhaps tomorrow - after you've had your first one of course!

Some things do not change

[esteven]

The Captain of the Fleet, however, who sat next to Stephen at the foot of the table, entertained him in a low confidential voice to a very highly-detailed account of his digestive processes - his very complicated and prolonged digestive processes - and a catalogue of the substances he could not eat: on the subject his usually pale, phlegmatic face grew pink and assumed a look almost of enthusiasm.

Poor Stephen! Some things do not change when it comes to certain professions. Even nowadays doctors (or lawyers) will be asked for their advice, esp at times when they want to relax.

Re: Some things do not change

[heather_mist]

I would. But then I'm funny that way...!

Stranraer and digitalis

[esteven]

Stephen's only advice was extreme caution with the digitalis - dose to be steadily diminished -patient not to be told the name of the drug, still less allowed access to it. 'More men, particularly sailors, have died from self-administered doses than ever the enemy killed in action,'

Stephen is most certainly in the right of it to speak about this with his colleague. Still, the two doctors should know that sailors are always of the opinion that a lot helps a lot. Also, the admiral tends not to listen to his physician. We have read several instances how Stranraer discards what his ship's doctor has to say.
Dangerous, very dangerous.

Re: Stranraer and digitalis

[esteven]

Much as I do not like Stranraer, I hope he is better than most seamen in this regard.
*stays doubtful*

Re: Stranraer and digitalis

[derien]

Has Stephen never thought of telling a sailor "Too much of this can KILL you" ? And by the way, how IS Martin doing after taking too much mercury? Did he survive at all?