31 May; Calling on the Captain

From here

He had a mostly-solid idea of what he wished to say to the ship's captain, but it depending upon how the captain himself received Farley's visit.

"Surgeon, for the captain," Farley said to the stiff-backed Marine sentry outside the cabin and waited to be announced.

Hearing that the surgeon wished to see the captain, Allen turned and knocked on the cabin door.

"Surgeon, sir!" he called out.

Bolitho had only been in the cabin for a short while when the knock came. The surgeon had come to see him. Most likely to discuss something about De Guarde's physical state, he wagered.

"Enter," he called back.

That was painless enough, Farley thought as he stepped carefully through the door.

"Good afternoon, sir," he greeted. "I hope I am not intruding."

"Not at all, Mr. Farley. What do you wish to speak to me about?"

"That young fellow De Guarde, sir." Farley considered for the barest instant. "I do not believe he... quite fits with the crew. Or he does not know how to fit, to be more precise."

Well, that was certainly an accurate statement. Farley had not even been aboard that long and even he could see how much De Guarde stuck out.

"I quite agree with that assessment, Mr. Farley. That fact has been apparent ever since the boy came aboard."

The white-haired surgeon inclined his head. "Undoubtedly, sir. I have spoken with him only briefly, and rather longer with a friend of his. It may be that he is unsure of how best to behave here, amongst such a different company than he was with previously."

In fact, Farley was positive that was the case. He did not quite know how to broach the topic of the ship's officers, at least not yet, but it too was a point that needed addressing.

"Yes, that most likely is the case. I fear he was...not treated in the same way on his previous ship." Bolitho refrained from commenting on how badly De Guarde's former captain must have run his ship, for he did not like to speak ill of an officer he did not know. "I can assure you, Mr. Farley, that I do not run my ship in such a manner."

"I do not mean to imply you do, sir." Not in the least. Rather... "I am concerned, however, that the lad may not feel he has any support at all aboard, outside of a small handful of friends."

"I do not wish for De Guarde to feel so alienated, but if he has no support, it is because he has made that so. He made quite an impression on the entire crew rather quickly after joining the Terpsichore, and I do not know if that can now be undone." Bolitho shook his head, remembering all the incidents that had led to De Guarde's demotion. "Sadly I believe he is only perpetuating that impression. If his antics today are any indication, the boy has still not learned anything. He needs to prove himself to be a capable--and mature--member of the crew if he is to have any hope of cultivating the good opinion of the men." He paused. "If you have any suggestions on how he might learn to alter his behavior, please do share them."

Anything wrong can be set right, if given a chance, Farley thought. Without a doubt the boy was perpetuating bad impressions because no one had bothered to do more than punish him for it. He knew no better.

"If I may, sir," he said. "I should like to retain the lad's services as a loblolly boy, while he is on light duties. From what I am told by his friend, there may yet be hope for him bettering himself."

"An excellent idea, Mr. Farley. I hope he may be of some use to you. Perhaps he may learn some things about obedience while he--" Bolitho broke off when he realised what Farley had said. "I'm sorry, but did you say 'his friend?' Of whom are you speaking?"

He had not thought De Guarde had made any real friends yet, considering the way he had been treating most of the crew.

Good. Excellent. Those were the words he had hoped to hear. He was surprised, however, to hear the note of disbelief in the captain's voice.

"I did, sir. A Marine. I believe his name is Thomas? No. Thompson."

Thompson? He considered himself to be De Guarde's friend? Bolitho had found that Thompson always seemed to be an amiable sort, but even so, he was still somewhat surprised that the Marine would openly say he was a friend to the boy.

"Indeed?" He blinked in amazement. "Well I am glad to hear that. Perhaps De Guarde has been making more progress in his behavior than I thought."

"Yes, sir," Farley confirmed. "Any friend aboard is better than none, certainly."

Which, it would seem, had been the case until recently. The poor lad.

"Quite so. He may be more capable at earning the men's trust than I would have given him credit for..."

Bolitho would have doubted any of the crew would be willing to call themselves De Guarde's friend, so hearing that the boy had made a friend in Thompson indicated there might be hope for him yet.

A grand opening, if ever there was one.

"Quite so, sir," Farley agreed. "Certainly he deserves an opportunity to learn better how to continue earning such trust."

"Yes, I believe you are right, Mr. Farley." Bolitho did wish De Guarde could learn to better himself. Maybe Farley might be able to succeed where no one else had yet. "I do hope he can gain some valuable lessons while helping you. It does not seem as though anyone else has been able to do that."

Farley had his own thoughts about why no one else had been able to reach the boy, but he did not voice them. Instead, he said simply, "Thank you, sir."

"You are quite welcome. I hope De Guarde will be of use to you--and perhaps you may be of use to him as well," Bolitho said, then asked, "Was there anything else you wished to speak about? Otherwise you may be dismissed."

"No sir. Thank you." Farley offered a short bow and turned to make his exit. For the most part, that had gone well.