"I shall, this very night. I will put up with Bob's nonsense no longer."
Mr. Henderson was found sitting in the dining-room, reading a paper. He had sent Bob to bed on arriving at the house, for Mr. Henderson was a man who did not believe in inflicting punishment in the heat of passion. He wanted to calm down before he decided how his son ought to be made to realize the wrong he had done. To tell the truth, he was quite at a loss just what punishment to inflict.
He had thought of a sound whipping, but he realized, as had the minister, that Bob was too old for this. Nothing so breaks the proud spirit of a boy as personal chastisement, after he has reached a certain age.
And, as yet, Mr. Henderson was not aware of the proposition Captain Spark had made to Bob's mother, and her practical acceptance of it. Of course, Mr. Henderson had heard the first talk of sending Bob to sea, but after his wife's refusal to consider it he had thought no more about it.
"Well, Enos," asked Mrs. Henderson, as she and the captain entered, "have you considered what to do with Bob?"
"I have, Lucy, but I have reached no conclusion."
"I have."
"You have? What is it?"
"I am going to send him on a voyage with Captain Spark. That is, if you consent."
"I will agree to anything you think best. But I think you will find it hard work to get Bob to go. I fear he will dislike the idea very much."