"And all his uncle's!" put in Cap.
"Hush, Magpie! But is the merchant service agreeable to you, Herbert?"
"Not perfectly, sir; but one must be content."
"Demmy, sir, my sister's son need not be content unless he has a mind to! And if you prefer the navy——"
"No, sir. I like the navy even less than the merchant service."
"Then what would suit you, lad? Come, you have betrayed the fact that you are not altogether satisfied."
"On the contrary, sir, I told you distinctly that I really wanted nothing, and that I must be satisfied."
"And I say, demmy, sir! you sha'n't be satisfied unless you like to! Come, if you don't like the navy, what do you say to the army, eh?"
"It is a proud, aspiring profession, sir," said the young man, as his face lighted up with enthusiasm.
"Then, demmy, if you like the army, sir, you shall enter it! Yes, sir! Demmy, the administration, confound them, has not done me justice, but they'll scarcely dare to refuse to send my nephew to West Point when I demand it."