He continued more calmly, “Until then, each and every one of you will translate my standing orders into daily fact. Give the men your leadership and try to understand them. No good will ever come of useless brutality. If a man still persists in disobedience, then flogged he will be. But in this particular case I would suggest a more lenient experiment.” He saw Vibart’s lower lip quivering with barely controlled anger. “Betts can be awarded extra duties for seven days. The sooner the matter is forgotten, the sooner we can mend the damage!” He gestured briefly, “Carry on with your watch, Mr Farquhar.”

As Evans turned to follow the midshipman Bolitho added flatly, “Oh, Mr Evans, I see no reason for me to mention your neglect in the log.” He saw Evans watching him half gratefully, half fearfully. He finished, “Provided I can show that you purchased the meat for your own purposes, your own mess perhaps?”

Evans blinked at Vibart and then back to Bolitho’s impassive face. “Purchase, sir? Me, sir?”

“Yes, Evans, you! You can make the payment to my clerk in the forenoon tomorrow. That is all.”

Vibart picked up his hat and waited until the door had closed behind the other man. “Do you require me any more, sir?”

“I just want to tell you one thing more, Mr Vibart. I have taken fully into consideration that you were under considerable strain during your duty with Captain Pomfret. Maybe some of the things you had to do were not to your liking.” He waited, but Vibart stared woodenly across his shoulder. “I am not interested in the past, except as a lesson to everyone of what can happen in a badly run ship! As first lieutenant you are the key officer, the most experienced one aboard who can implement my orders, do you understand?”

“If you say so, sir.”

Bolitho dropped his eyes in case Vibart should see the rising anger there. He had offered Vibart his due share of responsibility, even his confidence, and yet the lieutenant seemed to accept it like a sign of weakness, of some faltering uncertainty. The contempt was as plain in his brevity as if he had shouted it to the ship at large.

It could not be easy for Vibart to take orders from a captain so junior in age and service. Bolitho tried once more to soften his feelings towards Vibart’s hostility.

The latter said suddenly, “When you have been aboard the Phalarope a little longer, sir, then maybe you will see it different.” He rocked back on his heels and watched Bolitho’s face with a flat stare.

Bolitho relaxed his taut muscles. It was almost a relief that Vibart had shown him the only way to finish the matter. He eyed him coldly. “I have read every log and report aboard this ship, Mr Vibart. In all my limited experience I have never known a ship so apparently unwilling to fight the enemy or so incapable of performing her duty.” He watched the expression on Vibart’s heavy features altering to shocked surprise. “Well, we are going back to war, Mr Vibart, and I intend to seek out and engage the enemy, any enemy, at every opportunity!” He dropped his voice. “And when that happens I will expect to see every man acting as one. There will be no room for petty jealousy and cowardice then!”