Chapters 3 and 4 Summary

In chapter three, Sharpe says that the "boredom is palpable." The passengers aboard the Calliope are divided into two distinct categories—the rich people who are in the better cabins, have access to better food and fresh air, and the poor who occupy the steerage cabins, eat poorer food and are often cooped up in the ship. The lower portions of the ship have a tendency to be damp all and smelly. Sharpe is straddling that line because his cabin is in steerage but he is often invited to join the wealthy passengers, typically eating at least one meal a day at the captain's table, at Pohlmann's invitation. Sharpe admits to himself that he accepts the invitations because it gives him the opportunity to see Lady Grace. At one point, Pohlmann and Sharpe are talking about the hostilities between France...