Note:

I certainly didn't write Mowett's poem. It's copied directly from The Ionian Mission.

Now, to answer some questions. Let's see…

Kayla, her elder son was born when she was about 19 or 20 years old, so she is currently about 29 or 30. Yes, she's very worldly, mostly to do with the horrors she has gone through.

Legrace, I'm studying for a degree in Conservation and Applied Ecology. And I agree with you a bit – I wouldn't mind a tumble in the hay with Jack, although he can really be a jackass sometimes. And thanks for the compliments!

Mr. Allen, as sailing master, is not a military man, he's an expert navigator. His function on the ship is to take care of the business of sailing the ship – setting the course, figuring out the mathematics (which Jack is notoriously bad at), etc. He's kind of the antithesis to Captain Howard, who is a military officer but not really a sailor. Anyway, what he does for Jack is what Rose's father taught her to do on the Walrus. So, in a way, they are peers, although Mr. Allen has a lifetime of experience rather than direct training.

Anyway, I am going to borrow my sister's DVD of M&C this weekend. I'm overloaded on book events and need to take a look at all these men and remember the film's characteristics.

Comfort

As was the way in the enclosed society of shipboard life, the word was passed round that Captain Stirling had been murdered by pirates; that Mrs. Stirling's parents had been tortured and whipped to death; that her children had been carried off and forced to serve on pirate ships; that she was fleeing for her life; that the captain was going to rescue her boys. In the days after leaving Savannah, her behavior only seemed to confirm the talk, for she was generally pale, morose, and silent. Occasionally, she spoke sharply to someone who did not always deserve it.

Jack saw a little of what Stephen had been trying to tell him in the gloom that overtook the ship. Mr. Allen was particularly worried about her. Standing with the other officers one beautiful day and observance her forlorn figure sitting off by herself, he was moved to speak. "It is a tragedy to see the poor girl brought so low. It seems that some employment should lighten her spirits rather than allowing her to remain in her isolated gloom."

Not all the officers knew of Mrs. Stirling's past, and in the subsequent interview he had with her in private, Jack advised her that they might need to know her secrets in the near future.

"It is just as well," she had sighed. "I don't doubt any of their abilities to do their duty."

"Even Captain Howard?"

"Yes, even he." At his surprised look, she explained, "Whatever my personal feelings, I have no reason to doubt him."

The gunroom decided to invite her and the captain to dine twice a week now. Her gift of several cases of very fine red wine had been received with great joy and excessive thanks, and they pleased her by drinking several toasts to her health. The merry company brightened her, and she was herself again: pleasant, friendly, and interested in what they had to say.

"I have been so ill and blue-devilled that I have forgot my chiffon!" she declared. "I shall begin work on a new evening gown tomorrow, for it will serve to have a summer-weight garment in these climes. In any case, this old blue silk must be a tired sight to your eyes."

The men made witty and flattering remarks and assured her of the continued loveliness of the gown. Then, they urged Mr. Mowett to recite a poem and after demurring a bit, he grew serious.

"By woe, the soul to daring action swells;
By woe, in plaintless patience it excels:
From patience, prudent clear experience springs
And traces knowledge through the course of things:
Thence hope is formed, thence fortitude, success,
Renown – whate'er men covet and caress."

The response was loud with much clapping and scraping of the table with glasses. Those nearest to him clapped him upon the shoulders, and he flushed with pleasure at their praise.

After that, Pullings got up and went to fetch something from outside the door. As ranking officer in the gunroom, it was he who spoke for them. "Mrs. Stirling, You have been unnecessarily kind in providing such fine wine for us poor sailors," he started as he carried a little canvas sack to the table. "In return, to show our appreciation and regard, we have had Mr. Lamb repair this for you."

From within the sack, he brought out her father's birdhouse. The top had been replaced, and the whole surface had been sanded and repainted a lovely sky blue. Her eyes grew wide and she hesitantly reached to take it from him. Stunned, she looked at Pullings, then at the others without any words.

"That's a fine job," Jack chuckled, admiring it.

Without warning, tears dribbled from the lady's eyes, and the gaiety in the room abated instantly. Three handkerchiefs were offered to her, and she accepted one from Stephen, who sat beside her. "Gentlemen, this is kind of you," she said in a wavering, emotional voice.

"It was the doctor and Mr. Pullings who came up with the idea," explained Mowett. "As it means something to you."

"It means a great deal to me," she replied, drying her eyes and beaming at them. "Thank you all for such kindness."

When they went up on deck, she requested to be taken to Mr. Lamb directly so that she could thank him. "They've had their grog already," Mr. Allen said to warn her that the crew might be a little rough company for a lady.

"And we've had our wine," she teased with such a devilish glint in her eyes that the old sailing master had to chuckle.

The quiet grew and the men wished her good evening with respect. With a radiant smile, she approached the master carpenter and thanked him prettily for repairing her father's bird house. For his part, Mr. Lamb removed his hat and stammered a reply that made his mates grin.

Being such a fine night and sweet sailing, Jack and Stephen had their instruments brought up on the quarterdeck to serenade the lady. The birdhouse had already been set safely in her cabin, and she smiled at everyone, even Captain Howard, who was doing his charming best to be witty and gallant. The lovely moving adagio they played swelled the night with its heavenly sound, and the lady closed her eyes to take in the wonder. Above, the sky was heavy with stars, there being no moon, and all was sweetness and warmth in that happy place.