"A sailor hasn't much time for reading, mother."
"A sailor, Thomas! What do you mean? Where have you been all this time?" she asked, examining his appearance anxiously.
"At sea, mother."
"My boy! my boy! that is a godless calling. However—"
Thomas interrupted her.
"They that go down to the sea in ships were supposed once to see the wonders of the Lord, mother."
"Yes. But when will you be reasonable? That was in David's time."
"The sea is much the same, and man's heart is much the same. Anyhow, I'm a sailor, and a sailor I must be. I have nothing else to do."
"Mr. Boxall's business is all your father's now, I hear; though I'm sure I cannot understand it. Whatever you've done, you can go back to the counting-house, you know."
"I can't, mother. My father and I have parted forever."