‘I don’t like it,’ Olsen said, ‘when a man of his type becomes mixed up in that kind of thing.’

‘There are circumstances to explain it.’

‘That does not interest me. And it was a year ago. By now he should have returned to normal. Instead, he gets worse.’

‘It doesn’t affect his seamanship.’

‘No? The man is more important than the skill. Religion is like drinking; you should develop a head for it when young or leave it alone altogether.’