`` it is very boring , always going up and down the coast , '' temeraire put in , `` and i should much rather have some more interesting work , like fighting fire-breathers , if we were not needed where we are ; but i suppose we must do our duty , '' he finished , not a trifle wistfully , and turned his attention back to the other guests , who were all the more eager to speak with him now in imitation of nelson 's example : the party most assuredly a success .