"Yes, father."
"What do you think you are going to be? I mean what business or profession?"
This conversation took place about a week after their return to England.
"Would you like to be a doctor or a lawyer, or become a great financier in the City?" continued Harkaway senior.
"Neither of those, thank you. I have been too much used to plenty of fresh air and exercise to settle down to an indoor occupation; the sea is my choice."
"It is not your mother's choice, so you may just give up that notion at once and for ever."
"Well, next to that I should like to have a nice compact farm of about six hundred acres in a part of the country where there is good shooting, hunting and fishing."
"Ah, that's better."
"Then we'll consider that settled, dad."
"Yes; but you must finish your education first; that has been much neglected."