Owen Ford had `` snapped '' him one day while the book was being written . Captain Jim had known this , but he had not known that the picture was to be in the book . `` Just think of it , '' he said , `` the old sailor right there in a real printed book . This is the proudest day of my life . I 'm like to bust , girls . There 'll be no sleep for me tonight . I 'll read my book clean through before sun-up . '' `` We 'll go right away and leave you free to begin it , '' said Anne . Captain Jim had been handling the book in a kind of reverent rapture . Now he decidedly closed it and laid it aside . `` No , no , you 're not going away before you take a cup of tea with the old man , '' he protested . `` I could n't hear to that -- could you , Matey ? The life-book will keep , I reckon . I 've waited for it this many a year . I can wait a little longer while I 'm enjoying my friends . '' Captain Jim moved about getting his kettle on to boil , and setting out his bread and butter . Despite his excitement he did not move with his old briskness . His movements were slow and halting . But the girls did not offer to help him . They knew it would hurt his feelings .
`` You just picked the right evening XXXXX visit me , '' he said , producing a cake from his cupboard .
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