psychological fundamentals."

"Excellent! Will you read it to me?"

Gissing went to get his manuscript, and read it aloud. The
Captain listened attentively, puffing clouds of smoke.

"I am sorry this is such a short voyage," he said when Gissing
finished. "You have approached the matter from an entirely naif
and instinctive standpoint, and it will take some time to show
you your errors. Before I demolish your arguments I should like
to turn them over in my mind. I will reduce my ideas to writing
and then read them to you."

"I should like nothing better," said Gissing. "And I can think
over the subject more carefully while I peel the potatoes."

"Nonsense," said the Captain. "I do not often get a chance to
discuss theology. I will tell you my idea. You spoke of your
experience as General Manager, when you had charge of a thousand
employees. One of the things we need on this ship is a
staff-captain, to take over the management of the personnel. That
would permit me to concentrate entirely on navigation. In a
vessel of this size it is wrong that the master should have to
carry the entire responsibility."

He rang for the steward.

"My compliments to Mr. Pointer, and tell him to come here."