_William._ Aye, aye, your honour (_scratching his head_). I've lost my reckoning. Damme!--I ast pardon--but won't your honour throw a hencoop or any old end of towline to a man as is overboard? _Admiral_ (_smiling still_). You were saying, William, that the wind---- _William_ (_again cocking his leg, and slapping the thighs very hard_). Avast heaving, your honour! I see your honour's signal fluttering in the breeze, without a glass. As I was a-saying, your honour, the wind was blowin' from the sou'-west, due sou'-west, your honour, not a pint to larboard nor a pint to starboard; the clouds a-gatherin' in the distance for all the world like Beachy Head in a fog, the sea a-rowling in, in heaps of foam, and making higher than the mainyard arm, the craft a-scuddin' by all taught and under storms'ils for the harbour; not a blessed star a-twinklin' out aloft--aloft, your honour, in the little cherubs' native country--and the spray is flying like the white foam from the Jolly's lips when Poll of Portsea took him for a tailor! (_laughs._) _Admiral_ (_laughing also_). You have described it well, William, and I thank you. But who are these? _Enter Supers in calico jackets to look like cloth, some in brown holland petticoat-trousers and big boots, all with very large buckles. Last Super rolls on a cask, and pretends to keep it. Other Supers apply their mugs to the bunghole and drink, previously holding them upside down._ _William_ (_after shaking hands with everybody_). Who are these, your honour! Messmates as staunch and true as ever broke biscuit. Ain't you, my lads? _All._ Aye, aye, William. That we are! that we are! _Admiral_ (_much affected_). Oh, England, what wonder that----! But I will no longer detain you from your sports, my humble friends (ADMIRAL _speaks very low, and looks hard at the orchestra, this being the cue for the dance_)--from your sports, my humble friends. Farewell! _All._ Hurrah! hurrah! [_Exit_ ADMIRAL. _Voice behind._ Suppose the dance, Mr. Stanfield. Are you all ready? Go then! My dear Stanfield, I wish you would come this way and see me in that Palazzo Peschiere! Was ever man so welcome as I would make you! What a truly gentlemanly action it would be to bring Mrs. Stanfield and the baby. And how Kate and her sister would wave pocket-handkerchiefs from the wharf in joyful welcome! Ah, what a glorious proceeding!