 When the child had finished telling his story, the German captain stroked his beard thoughtfully. Did Eugene think he could handle the job in the ship's galley, he asked. The boy's worried visage slowly softened and then broke into a big grin. Oh, he can handle the job just fine, he said. And he handled the job just fine. Once they reached port, the kindly German crew took up a collection and told the youngster to put the money in his shoe.