A Good Head

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"You sent for me, sir?"

"Ah, Hornblower. At your ease, sir. Now let me see... What was it I heard about you?"

"Sir?"

"Ah, yes. I believe you have a good head."

"I, uh... Sir?"

"Is it not true then?"

"Beg pardon, sir, but if you mean my navigation skills?"

"Do I?"

"Uh, that is what I assumed you meant, sir."

"Ah, but is it what I really meant?"

"Then you refer to a skill other than navigation, sir?"

"Perhaps I do, sir. Perhaps I do. Care to guess my meaning?"

"I... I fear that conjecture is not one of my skills, sir."

"Oh, isn't it! You do not feel the need to second-guess the enemy, Hornblower? I would urge you to acquire such a skill in the immediate future, sir, while you still have one!"

"Uh, yes, sir."

"However, be that as it may, I hear you have a marvellous head, sir."

"For what, sir, if I may be so bold?"

"Allow me to show you, sir."

<long pause>

"You understand my meaning now, sir?"

"Oh, yesss, sir, I certainly do! And if I may say so, sir, I, too, have heard such a rumour regarding yourself."

"No secrets aboard ship, eh, not even for the captain. Well, well! And I suppose you would like to know if there is any truth to this rumour?"

"I... Well, that is... I mean if you would not mind, sir."

<pause>

"Oh, sirrr! Magnificent, sir, if I may say so, sir!"

"You may, Mr Hornblower. You may."

<another long pause>

"And shall you confirm the rumour regarding your Captain, sir?"

"Oh, yes, sir! Most definitely, sir! That is, with your permission, sir."

"You have it, Mr Hornblower.  You have it.  Indeed one might say that you have things well in hand, sir!"

"Indeed I do, sir - now!"

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