Besides, one very usual and genuine source of grief is wholly lacking: she is well-off in her own right. I know the family in Lancashire.’
‘So much the better. Now reverting to this question of impotence: was it physical?’
‘Not evidently so.’
‘Was the patient an opium-eater?’
‘Certainly not. I once had occasion to administer a very moderate dose, and he was astonished by the effects. No, no: it was all in the head - and what innumerable strange surprising fancies the head of a physically normal, active, intelligent man can hold, quite apart from anxiety, that most- what is it?’
‘Commodore’s compliments, sir,’ said a midshipman, ‘and when Dr Maturin is at liberty, should be happy to see him. But I am to add that there is no hurry at all.’
‘Another glass before you go... or rather let me call for another bottle, since there is no hurry.’
‘You are too kind,’ said Stephen, shaking his head; and to the boy, ‘Pray tell the Commodore that I shall wait upon him directly.’
‘Why, Stephen, there you are,’ cried Jack. ‘I do beg pardon for interrupting you. But since I am sure you have heard of poor Governor Wood’s death, I thought you would like to know that there is a Guineaman sailing this evening, in case you chose to send... Then again, the Admiral has a courier setting off for England within the hour: I have asked for William Reade to bring Ringle, and since she will need a day or two’s readying, he could ride over to Woolhampton, taking messages and bringing things back.’
‘I had indeed heard of Captain Wood’s death, God rest his soul, and I have been composing a letter to his widow in my mind - perhaps I may be able to dash something off by this evening, though I am a slow, dry and barren creature with a pen. As for William Reade, if he will buy a fine bold hoop in Portsmouth and give it to Brigid with my love, together with this crown piece, I should be infinitely obliged to him. And if he would bring back my narwhal horn, or rather tusk - the tusk you so very kindly gave me a great while since - I should be most uncommon grateful. I was contemplating on it in the night, for I am told that in Mahon we are likely to meet that eminent engineer, metallurgist and natural philosopher James Wright, and I hope that he will be able to tell me - do you see the horn in your eye, at all clearly?’
‘Fairly well.’
‘To tell me whether those whorls, or perhaps I should say those torsades or undulations, and those spirals running from the base almost to the very tip add strength or possibly elasticity to the whole improbable structure.’
‘Beg pardon, sir,’ said Killick, ‘but your number one scraper ain’t fit to be seen aboard the flag.’ He held up a gold-laced hat, very fine, but strangely dented. ‘Which you trod on it last Thursday and put it back in its case without a word: but there is still just time to have it reblocked at Broad’s.’
‘Make it so, Killick,’ said Jack. ‘Ask Mr Willis for a boat.’ And to Stephen, ‘I shall add your requests in my letter to Reade: hoop and a crown for Brigid, with your love, and the narwhal horn.’
‘Love to dear Sophie too, of course, and the kindest of wishes to Clarissa Oakes. The horn is in a bow-case, hanging in one of the cupboards in the gunroom. Brother, I am afraid you are low in your spirits.’
‘I do so hate a court-martial, above all one of this kind. Will you attend?’
‘I will not. In any case I have an appointment ashore.’ They gazed out of the great broad sweep of stern-lights at the tawny Rock itself, soaring away as unlikely and as impressive as ever. ‘Jack,’ he went on, with a significant expression familiar to them both, ‘it is not impossible that I may bring an assistant surgeon back with me. If I am not mistaken entirely, it would not be fit that the gentleman should mess with the midshipmen and mates, so if he cannot be admitted to the gunroom, perhaps I might be indulged in his company as a guest?’
‘Of course you may,’ said Jack. ‘But if he is a gentleman of a certain age and standing, as I suppose, I am sure the gunroom would stretch a point, particularly as you are almost never there: he could take your place.’
‘As far as standing goes, he is as much of a physician as myself - a doctor of medicine. We studied in Paris together for a while: he was some years junior to me, but already highly considered as an anatomist. That would certainly be the best arrangement; for although he is a tolerable musician, and you might very well consider inviting him on occasion that would certainly be the best arrangement.’
Feeling Stephen’s embarrassment, Jack cried, ‘Oh, I have not told you: tomorrow is going to be a day of hellish turmoil. I am shifting my pennant into Surprise and there are going to be some important changes: apart from anything else the squadron is promised two new drafts to
