“Perhaps even I might make a contribution to this scheme,” said Hornblower, and everyone turned to look at him; he met Spendlove’s eye with a glassy stare that forbade Spendlove to breathe a word to the effect that the whole scheme was his original idea.
“Yes, My Lord?” said Fell.
“A length of spun yarn,” said Hornblower, “made fast to the tail of the drogue and led for’rard and the other end secured to the chain. Just a single strand, to keep it tail end forward while Estrella gets under way. Then when she sets all sail and the strain comes -”
“The yarn will part!” said Spendlove. “You’re right, My Lord. Then the drogue will take the water -”
“And she’ll be ours, let’s hope,” concluded Hornblower.
“Excellent, My Lord,” said Fell.
Was there perhaps a mild condescension, a tiny hint of patronage, in what he said? Hornblower felt that there was, and was momentarily nettled at it. Already Fell was quite convinced that the whole scheme was his own – despite his handsome earlier admission that Spendlove had contributed – and he was generously allowing Hornblower to add a trifling suggestion. Hornblower allayed his irritation with cynical amusement at the weaknesses of human nature.
“In this stimulating atmosphere of ideas,” he said, modestly, “one can hardly help but be infected.”
“Y-yes, My Lord,” said Gerard, eyeing him curiously. Gerard was too sharp altogether, and knew him too well. He had caught the echo of mock-modesty in Hornblower’s tone, and was on the verge of guessing the truth.
“No need for you to put your oar in, Mr Gerard,” snapped Hornblower. “Do I have to recall you to your duty? Where’s my dinner, Mr Gerard? Do I always have to starve while I’m under your care? What will Lady Barbara say when she hears you allow me to go hungry?”
“I beg pardon, My Lord,” spluttered Gerard, entirely taken aback. “I’d quite forgotten – you’ve been so busy, My Lord -”
His embarrassment was intense; he turned this way and that in the crowded cabin as if looking about him for the missing dinner.
“No time now, Mr Gerard,” said Hornblower. Until the need for distracting Gerard’s attention had arisen he had been equally forgetful of the need for dinner. “Let’s hope His Excellency will offer us some small collation.”
“I really must beg your pardon, My Lord,” said Fell, equally embarrassed.
“Oh, no matter, Sir Thomas,” said Hornblower, waving the apologies aside testily. “You and I are in the same condition. Let me see that drawing, Mr Spendlove.”
He was continually being led into playing the part of a peppery old gentleman, when he knew himself to be nothing of the sort. He was able to mellow again as they went once more through the details of the construction of the drogue, and he gave his approval.
“I believe, Sir Thomas,” he said, “that you have decided to entrust the work to Mr Sefton during our absence ashore?” Fell bowed his agreement.
“Mr Spendlove will remain under your orders, Mr Sefton. Mr Gerard will accompany Sir Thomas and me. I don’t know what you have decided, Sir Thomas, but I would suggest that you bring a lieutenant and a midshipman with you to His Excellency’s reception.”
“Aye aye, My Lord.”
“Mr Sefton, I am sure I can trust you to have this work completed by the time of our return, early in the middle watch, I fancy?”
“Yes, My Lord.”
So there it was all settled, except for the dreary interval of waiting. This was just like war-time, standing by with a crisis looming in the near future.
“Dinner, My Lord?” suggested Gerard, eagerly. He wanted no dinner. He was weary now that all was settled and the tension easing.
“I’ll call for Giles if I want some,” he said, looking round the crowded cabin. He wanted to dismiss the horde of people, and sought words to do so politely.
“Then I’ll attend to my other duties, My Lord,” said Fell, suddenly and surprisingly tactful.
“Very well, Sir Thomas, thank you.”
The cabin emptied itself rapidly; Hornblower was able by a mere look to put an end to Gerard’s tendency to linger. Then he could sink back into his chair and relax, sturdily ignoring Giles when he came in with another lighted lamp for the darkening cabin. The ship was full of the sound of the business of watering, sheaves squealing in blocks, pumps clanking, hoarse orders; the noise was sufficiently distracting to prevent his thoughts maintaining any regular course. He was in half a doze when a knock on the door preceded the arrival of a midshipman.