“I’ll follow your advice, captain. In three days I shall be on board ‘The Conquest.’”
The captain’s stern face cleared up, and he said approvingly,—
“All right! You did well to change your mind; for your business began to look very ugly. The minister is very angry with you.”
“The minister? And why?”
“Primo, he had charged you with a very important duty.”
“To be sure,” stammered Daniel, hanging his head; “but I have been so severely suffering!”
The fact is, he had totally forgotten that unlucky work.
“Secundo,” continued the old officer, “he was doubtful whether you were in your right senses, and I agree with him, since he has told me that you yourself have solicited this appointment on foreign service in the most urgent terms.”
Daniel was stunned, and stammered out,—
“His Excellency is mistaken.”