"What do you mean?" I said. "Oh, you know well enough. You came on board the _Teaser_ to take your place as an officer and a gentleman, and we your seniors received you in a gentlemanly way." "Yes, you were right enough," I said. "A bit cocky and bounceable at first, till you found that I wouldn't stand it, and then you were both civil." "Well, I _am_ blessed!" cried Barkins, blowing out his cheeks and looking down at me. "Of all the impudent little cockboats of boys you are about the most cheeky. Pretty strong turn that for a Gnat, Smithy." "Yes; we shall have to put him down, and the sooner the better. Will you speak to him, or shall I?" "Oh, I'm just in the humour for it," said Barkins; "so I'll give him his dose at once. Look here, young fellow: as aforesaid, when you interrupted, we received you as gentlemen should, and have taken great care of you, and tried to smooth you down into something like a budding officer." "Thank you," I said humbly; "I'm so grateful." "And so you ought to be, sir. But look here, what in the name of thunder do you mean by forsaking us and taking to bad company?" "Who does?" "Why, you do, sir. Smithy and I talked it over last night, and we both agreed that you're never happy unless you're along with the forecastle Jacks, or sneaking about with old Ching." "Get out!" I said indignantly. "None of your impudence, sir, because that won't do. It's come to this: either you've got to give up low society, or high." "Which is which?" I said. "What?" "I said which is which? Do you mean you two fellows are high society?" "Do you hear this beggar, Smithy?" "Oh yes, I hear him. Isn't it awful to find so much depravity in such a small body? But keep him to it, and make him speak. He has got to choose." "Yes, you've got to choose, Gnat. We can't have a brother officer always associating with the low Chinee." "Do you mean that I oughtn't to go and see the poor fellow now he's below ill?" "Something of the sort: you're not a doctor. Of course he ought to visit the men." "So ought an officer when his men are in trouble." "Yes; but not to make friends of them. It won't do, Gnat, and we've made up our minds not to stand it. That will do now. You have heard what I had to say, and I hope you will profit by it." I burst out into a roar of laughter, for Barkins' assumption of dignity was comic. "What do you mean by that, sir?" he cried in an offended tone. "Second-hand captain's rowing!" I cried. "Why, I heard him say those very words to you." "Hi! stop!" cried Smith, as Barkins turned red with annoyance. "Where are you going, sir?" "Down below to see Ching," I replied coolly; and I descended the companion-ladder to where the man lay. He was looking very yellow and gloomy, but as soon as he caught sight of me his face lit up. "You come along see Ching?" he said in his high voice; and upon my nodding--"Velly glad. Doctor say stop along, velly much, not gettee up to-day."