"No, a thousand times no!" answered the boy boldly.
"I won't have him," muttered Whiterock sulkily.
"But I will," cried the Captain. "Look here, my lad, I honour you. Yes, I honour you for loving and respecting your father. You're a plucky lad! And if you like to stay with us you shall be my adopted son. Do you hear what I say?"
The men uttered various exclamations, tending to show that what they considered "a piece of rare luck" had come in Cyril's way.
Then they all waited for the boy's answer.
"No, thank you, Captain," he said politely, "I cannot."
"What for, lad? Why not?" demanded the Captain wrathfully.
"Oh, because 'Noblesse oblige!'" replied the boy.
"What do you say?"
Cyril repeated "Noblesse oblige" distinctly, in tones which were heard all over the great room.