They were seated at their one o'clock dinner before the recluse made any sign. Then he gave note of his continued existence by bumping and thumping sounds within his state-room, as if some one were dressing there in a heavy sea. “Mr. Hicks seems to be taking his rough weather retrospectively,” said Staniford, with rather tremulous humor. The door was flung open, and Hicks reeled out, staying himself by the door-knob. Even before he appeared, a reek of strong waters had preceded him. He must have been drinking all night. His face was flushed, and his eyes were bloodshot. He had no collar on; but he wore a cravat and otherwise he was accurately and even fastidiously dressed. He balanced himself by the door-knob, and measured the distance he had to make before reaching his place at the table, smiling, and waving a delicate handkerchief, which he held in his hand: “Spilt c'logne, tryin' to scent my hic--handkerchief. Makes deuced bad smell--too much c'logne; smells--alcoholic. Thom's, bear a hand, 's good f'low. No? All right, go on with your waitin'. B-ic--business b'fore pleasure, 's feller says. Play it alone, I guess.” The boy had shrunk back in dismay, and Hicks contrived to reach his place by one of those precipitate dashes with which drunken men attain a point, when the luck is with them. He looked smilingly round the circle of faces. Staniford and the captain exchanged threatening looks of intelligence, while Mr. Watterson and Dunham subordinately waited their motion. But the advantage, as in such cases, was on the side of Hicks. He knew it, with a drunkard's subtlety, and was at his ease. “No app'tite, friends; but thought I'd come out, keep you from feeling lonesome.” He laughed and hiccuped, and smiled upon them all. “Well, cap'n,” he continued, “'covered from 'tigues day, sterday? You look blooming's usual. Thom's, pass the--pass the--victuals lively, my son, and fetch along coffee soon. Some the friends up late, and want their coffee. Nothing like coffee, carry off'fee's.” He winked to the men, all round; and then added, to Lydia: “Sorry see you in this state--I mean, sorry see me--Can't make it that way either; up stump on both routes. What I mean is, sorry hadn't coffee first. But _you're_ all right--all right! Like see anybody offer you disrespec', 'n I'm around. Tha's all.”