Hall Caine

“ But he is as good a whaler as ever threw a dart, and a good man as well. Indeed, he is the recognised referee of that whole whaling fleet. What with the ice and the fog, and the hard work, and the bad shots, the men think they want a drop of "blue ruin" sometimes to keep their spirits going; but if ever there is a rumpus over the drink it's Jan the Icelander who has to settle it; and if ever there's a crime, and blood is spilt, it's Jan who has to be judge and jury.
This man, this saint of that lawless community on the Greenland seas, is Larry Clough. ”

“ But I'm too old to get it into my head."
"Wouldn't you like to see it, though?"
"I'm not good enough, my lad."
"Why, what do you mean, Jan?"
"People nowadays, having the powers of angels, of gods—aren't people better than they used to be in my time, my lad?"
"Not that I know of, Jan."
"Nor more happy and contented?"
"Can't say they are. In fact, some folks are always lamenting the loss of the 'good old times,' as they call them."
"But these changes you speak of, are they everywhere in England now?"
"Everywhere."
"Even in the country places?"
"Yes, even in the little country town I came from." ”

“ What was his character out here?"
"A quiet, peaceable man, I think."
"But he drank, didn't he?"
"Never a drop while he was here."
"Must be the same, though—must have been Larry Clough."
"You know him, then?"
"I can just remember him; but I was a child when he left our parts."
"Then you would hardly recognise the man if you saw him now?"
"Hardly. Was he long out here?"
"A—many years. When a cruise was over he passed from ship to ship."
"What became of him at last?"
"God knows, my lad! You soon lose sight of a man at the whaling." ”