“You will find people everywhere who will let you have no peace, unless you do not care for them; though you will not be left to the Grevilles any longer.”
“Yes, Papa; when I am away from them, you will see—”
“No, Hal, I shall not see, I shall hear.”
“Shall not I sail with you, then, Papa?”
“You will not sail at all: I thought you knew that.”
“I thought the Admiral must have given you two appointments,” said Hal timidly.
“He gave me one, for one of my sons. The first choice is Sam’s right, even if he had not deserved it by his brave patient obedience.”
Hal hung his head; then said, “But, Papa, if Sam broke down in his examination, please mightn’t I—”
“No, Henry. Not only does your uncle say that though Sam’s success is very doubtful, your inaccuracy would make your failure certain; but if your knowledge were ever so well up to the mark, I could not put you into the navy. Left to yourself here, you have been insubordinate, vain, weak, shuffling: can I let you go into greater temptation, where disgrace would be public and without remedy?”
“Oh, but, Papa! Papa! Away from the Grevilles, and not under only a governess—”