“Believe me, captain,” he replied, “I obey the most imperative duty.”
Leaning back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, the captain seemed to look for such a duty; then he asked suddenly,—
“Is it your family that keeps you?”
“If my place can really not be filled by one of my comrades, I shall be compelled to send in my resignation.”
The old sailor bounded as he heard that word, and said furiously,—
“I told you you were a fool!”
In spite of his determination, Daniel was too much troubled not to commit a blunder. He insisted,—
“It is a matter of life and death with me, captain. And if you only knew my reasons; if I could tell them”—
“Reasons which cannot be told are always bad reasons, sir. I insist upon what I have told you.”
“Then, captain, I shall be compelled, to my infinite sorrow, to insist upon offering my resignation.”