._ Sir Gilbert!

_Adm._ And that's no excuse. I did not tell you to get drunk, and the
consequence is, that that, without a proper apology----

_Will._ Beg your pardon, Admiral, and yours too, my lady.

_Lady Eth._ Sir Gilbert!

_Adm._ The fact is, that without the apology, in one word, you, you
(_looking round at Lady Etheridge_) must take warning, sir, you leave
this house, sir.

_Will._ Leave, yer honour, arter twenty-five years' sarvitude!

_Lady Eth._ Sir Gilbert!

_Adm._ Yes, sir, leave the house--damme!

_Will._ If yer honour hadn't given the ale, I shouldn't have got into
trouble.

_Lady Eth._ (_Rising, and as she is leaving the room_). Sir Gilbert, I
am glad to perceive that you have a proper respect for me and for
yourself. [_Exit._

_Adm._ William, William, you must be aware that I cannot permit you to
remain, when Lady Etheridge is displeased with you.

_Will._ First offence, yer honour.

_Adm._ But, however, I'll try and get you another place, as your general
conduct has been correct.

_Will._ Thank you. I little thought, that after twenty-five years'
sarvitude (_wipes his eyes_). I can always get a ship, Admiral.

_Adm._ Why, yes, and I only wish that I had one, in which to give you a
good rating, my good fellow; but William, you must be aware----

_Will._ Yes, yer honour, I see how the cat jumps.

_Adm._ What do you mean?

_Will._ I sees that yer honour is no longer in command of your own ship.

_Adm._ You scoundrel! What do you mean?

_Will._ Lord, Sir Gilbert, we all knows how the matter be, and as how
you can't call your soul your own. It warn't so in the _Menelaus_, when
your little finger was enough to make every man jump out of his shoes.
You _were_ a bit of a tartar, that's sartin,--and, now you've cotched a
tartar.

_Adm._ You insolent scoundrel!

_Will._ Your honour arn't angry, I hope, but we all pities ye, we do
indeed!

_Adm._ Unbearable!

_Will._ And we says in the servants' hall--and we be all agreed
_there_--that you be the kindest master in the world--but, that as for
my lady----

_Adm._ Silence, sir; what insolence is this? Out of the room
immediately; now, if I had you on board, you scoundrel, I'd give you as
good a four dozen as ever a fellow had in his life. I was just going to
pension the blackguard, now I'll see him hanged first.

(_The Admiral walks up and down the room in a rage, William still
remains behind._)

Well, well, even my servants laugh