“I have, sir,” replied Jack, “before I came on shore.”
“But a midshipman can always eat two breakfasts, particularly when his own comes first—so sit down and breakfast with us—it’s all over now.”
“Even if it was not,” replied Captain Wilson, laughing, “I doubt whether it would spoil Mr Easy’s breakfast;—come, Mr Easy, sit down.”
Jack bowed, and took his chair, and proved that his lecture had not taken away his appetite. When breakfast was over, Captain Wilson observed:
“Mr Easy, you have generally a few adventures to speak of when you return; will you tell the Governor and me what has taken place since you left us.”
“Certainly, sir,” replied Jack; “but I venture to request that it may be under the promise of secrecy, for it’s rather important to me and Gascoigne.”
“Yes, if secrecy is really necessary, my boy; but I’m the best judge of that,” replied the Governor.
Jack then entered into a detail of his adventures, which we have already described, much to the astonishment of the Governor and his captain, and concluded his narration by stating that he wanted to leave the service; he hoped that Captain Wilson would discharge him and send him home.
“Pooh, nonsense!” said the Governor, “you shan’t leave the Mediterranean while I am here. No, no; you must have more adventures, and come back and tell them to me. And recollect, my lad, that whenever you come to Malta, there is a bed at the Governor’s house, and a seat at his table, always ready for you.”
“You are very kind, Sir Thomas,” replied Jack, “but—”