"What does it amount to," he continued, "if the heart's brave? What does it amount to when it is all over, and when one gets to be as old as I am? I'm tough and firm;" and he gave his leg a great slap. "I'm as young as a younger man; and I know that there's no place on earth like the sea."
"And you can get promotion, can't you?" asked Joshua, eagerly. "A man needn't be a common sailor all his life?"
"No, Josh; he needn't stick at that, if he's willing and able, and does his duty. I know many a skipper who once on a time was only an able-bodied seaman."
"Do you hear that, mother?" cried Joshua. "Now are you satisfied?" and he jumped up and gave her a kiss.
"What is a skipper, Mr. Meddler?" asked Mrs. Marvel, with her arm round Joshua's waist. She had a dim notion that a skipper was connected with a skipping-rope, and that she might have been a skipper in her girlhood's days. If that were the case, she could not see what advantage it would be to Joshua to become one.
"A skipper's a captain, mother," whispered Joshua.
"Oh!" said Mrs. Marvel, but not quite clear in her mind on the point. "Then, if I might be so bold, Mr. Meddler"--
But here Mrs. Marvel stopped suddenly, and blushed like a girl.
"Ay, ay, lady, go on," said the Old Sailor, encouragingly.
"If I might make so bold," continued Mrs. Marvel, with an effort, "how is it that you never rose to be a skipper?"