 The two [ Mertz and Ninnis ] had joined the Expedition together in London , and had been associated longer and in a more intimate manner than any other members of the Expedition . During the winter months we had all been drawn together , but between Mertz and Ninnis there existed a very deep bond . Mertz , in his warm @-@ hearted impulsive way , had practically adopted Ninnis , and his affection was almost maternal . Ninnis , less demonstrative , reciprocated this to the full , and indeed it was hard to dissociate them in our thoughts . It was always ' Mertz and Ninnis ' or ' Ninnis and Mertz ' , a composite entity , each the complement of the other . 
