The captain took a step and grabbed the small of his back. "Haven't
done it in some time, though. Ought to do it more often, eh, Ben?"
"I suppose so, sir."
"Well," Birdsel said, clapping his hands together.
_My God_, Starbuck thought, _he's not going to do it again._
"Well," the captain continued, still on both feet, "I'd better show you
to your quarters, my boy. Mind if I lean on your shoulder a bit like
this?"
"Not at all, Captain."
"This way, Ben, this way."