Nine of Cups

Meaning: Happiness
Depiction: Queequeg and Ishmael sit on a bench before a table at the Spouter Inn, a fire burning in the fireplace behind them. Queequeg has been turning the pages of a book but looks quizzically over at Ishmael, who sits near him, his arms wrapped around his knees.  Ishmael looks back at Queequeg, smiling. Nine cups are lined up on the mantel above the fireplace.

Text:  Chapter 10, A Bosom Friend

As I sat there in that now lonely room; the fire burning low, in that mild stage when, after its first intensity has warmed the air, it then only glows to be looked at; the evening shades and phantoms gathering round the casements, and peering in upon us silent, solitary twain; the storm booming without in solemn swells; I began to be sensible of strange feelings. I felt a melting in me. No more my splintered heart and maddened hand were turned against the wolfish world. 

Comments: I really try to vary these cards in terms of chapters and characters... but when these satisfaction and happiness cards come up, I return to the early days of Ishmael and Queequeg, who have the most positive mutual relationship of any characters in the book. Stubb claims to take everything as a joke, but there's a maliciousness to him which makes his humor seem rather passive-aggressive rather than borne from happiness and contentment.