16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
politics at this table.'
'Quite right too,' called out the merchant on
Adams' left. 'If there is one thing I hate more
than topics it is politics. Damn all talk of
Whigs, Tories and Radicals, say I: and damn
all topics too, like the state of the poor and
slavery and reform. Let us talk about the enclosing
of commons, annuities and South Sea
stock, like this gentleman here, and how to
make two groats where only one grew before,
ha, ha!' He clapped Martin on the shoulder
and repeated 'Two groats where only one
grew before.'
'I am very sorry to have offended against your
tradition, gentlemen,' said Dutourd, recollecting
himself, 'but I am no seaman, and I have
never before had the honour of sitting down in
an English officers' mess.'
'A glass of wine with you, sir,' said Stephen,