Page:Christopher Morley--Where the blue begins.djvu/187

Rh the potato-peeling might be postponed as long as possible.

“How far had you got in your essay?” asked the Captain.

“Not very far, I fear. I was beginning by laying down a few psychological fundamentals.”

“Excellent! Will you read it to me?”

Gissing went to get his manuscript, and read it aloud. The Captain listened attentively, puffing clouds of smoke.

“I am sorry this is such a short voyage,” he said when Gissing finished. “You have approached the matter from an entirely naïf and instinctive standpoint, and it will take some time to show you your errors. Before I demolish your arguments I should like to turn them over in my mind. I will reduce my ideas to writing and then read them to you.”

“I should like nothing better,” said Gissing. “And I can think over the subject more carefully while I peel the potatoes.”

“Nonsense,” said the Captain. “I do not often get a chance to discuss theology. I will tell you my idea. You spoke of your experience as General Manager, when you had charge of a thousand