Sentence:  The skipper Mr. Cooke had hired at Far Harbor was a God-fearing man with a luke warm <WSD>interest</WSD> in his new billet and employer, and had only been prevailed upon to take charge of the yacht after the offer of an emolument equal to half a year's sea pay of an ensign in the navy. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A great attention and concern from someone or something; intellectual curiosity. (from later 18th c.)