Rites of Passage – William Golding - bzelbublive.info

a midshipman-not one of your ancients, stuck in his inferiorposition like a goat in a bush, but an example of the breedthat brings a tear to every maternal eve-in a sentence, apustular lad of fourteen o r fifteen, addressed, a s I soonfound in pious hope, as a "Young Gentleman." It was sometime before Cumbershum answered me, the lad lookingfrom the one to the other o f u s meanwhile. At last MrCumbershum said the lad, Mr Willis by name, might go withme. So my object was gained. I left the Sacred Precinctswith dignity and indeed had despoiled it of a votary. As wedescended the ladder there was a h a i l from MrCumbershum."Mr Willis, Mr Willis! Do not omit to invite Mr Talbot toglance at the captain's Standing Orders. You may transmitto me any suggestions he has for their improvement.”I laughed heartily at this sally though Willis did not seem tobe amused by it. He is not merely pustular but pale, and hecommonly lets his mouth hang open. He asked me what Iwould choose to see and I had no idea, having used him toget me off the quarterdeck suitably attended. I noddedtowards the forward part of the vessel.."Let us stroll thither," said I, "and see how the people live."Willis followed me with some hesitation in the shadow ofthe boats on the boom, across the white line at the main