“Very well, we’ll hear them after dinner,” replied old Tom. “In the meantime find out your room and take possession.”
“That must not be for very long, Governor,” observed Captain Wilson. “Mr Easy must learn his duty, and there is a good opportunity now.”
“If you please, sir,” replied Jack, “I’m on the sick-list.”
“Sick-list,” said Captain Wilson; “you were not in the report that Mr Wilson gave me this morning.”
“No, I’m on Mr Pottyfar’s list; and I’m going through a course of the universal medicine.”
“What’s all this, Jack—what’s all this?—there’s some story here—don’t be afraid of the captain—you’ve me to back you,” said the Governor.
Jack was not at all afraid of the captain, so he told him how the first-lieutenant had refused him leave the evening before, and how he had now given him permission to remain, and try the universal medicine, at which the Governor laughed heartily, nor could Captain Wilson refrain from joining.
“But, Mr Easy,” replied the captain, after a pause, “if Mr Pottyfar will allow you to stay on shore, I cannot—you have your duty to learn. You must be aware that now is your time, and you must not lose opportunities that do not occur every day. You must acknowledge the truth of what I say.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Jack, “I admit it all, provided I do intend to follow the profession;” and so saying, our hero bowed, and left the veranda where they had been talking.
This hint of Jack’s, thrown out by him more with the intention of preventing his being sent on board than with any definite idea, was not lost upon either the captain or the Governor.