I have often observed that extremely violent noise and activity go with good-fellowship and heightened spirits.

For a moment Jack felt the strongest inclination to snatch up his little gilt chair and beat the white-faced man down with it.

...looking angrily at the wombat: and a moment later, 'Come now, Stephen, this is coming it pretty high: your brute is eating my hat.' 'So he is, too,' said Dr. Maturin. 'But do not be perturbed, Jack; it will do him no harm, at all. His digestive processes--

I have often observed that extremely violent noise and activity go with good-fellowship and heightened spirits.

That would be locking the horse after the stable door is gone, a very foolish thing to do.

Never mind manoeuvres, always go at them.

Touch and away, Jack?’ asked Stephen. ‘Touch and away? Do you not recall that I have important business there? Enquiries of the very first interest?’ To do with our enterprise? To do with this voyage?’ Perhaps not quite directly.