We're far from England, William. Far from anywhere the Articles have any meaning and far from where our values and traditions are commonplace. Or at least understood.
[Civilians might not always like what the Navy did, but they understood the importance of all of it.
For that much, at least, he sounded genuinely sympathetic.]
I will vouch for nine-tenths of this crew myself. [And the other tenth he did not know well enough, but would trust Archie's opinion on. The next part is said coolly, a hardness to his voice, even if it's difficult for him to come to terms with as well:] I will advise you not to suggest again that they are incapable based on their sex.
[His head is bowed, eyes down, and he nods every so often.
He doesn't even come close to an apology himself. But he isn't talking back, or disobeying his commanding officer. He'll drop the issue if Horatio wants him to. But he doesn't have to like it. William worries for a moment that Horatio will be able to see right to that and he shifts his weight from foot to foot. Just once. But it's there.]
January 21st - action
[Civilians might not always like what the Navy did, but they understood the importance of all of it.
For that much, at least, he sounded genuinely sympathetic.]
I will vouch for nine-tenths of this crew myself. [And the other tenth he did not know well enough, but would trust Archie's opinion on. The next part is said coolly, a hardness to his voice, even if it's difficult for him to come to terms with as well:] I will advise you not to suggest again that they are incapable based on their sex.
January 21st - action
[His head is bowed, eyes down, and he nods every so often.
He doesn't even come close to an apology himself. But he isn't talking back, or disobeying his commanding officer. He'll drop the issue if Horatio wants him to. But he doesn't have to like it. William worries for a moment that Horatio will be able to see right to that and he shifts his weight from foot to foot. Just once. But it's there.]