“Hear, hear,” said the boys together, and Sir James went on.
“First of all, I am nobody.”
“Oh! Oh, I say, father!” cried Mark laughing.
“You hold your tongue, and don’t interrupt. I repeat that I am nobody, only a visitor who looks on and joins in the sport when I feel so disposed, and one whom you and your men must take care of.”
“But we must have a captain, sir, to give all orders.”
“Of course,” said Sir James. “I constitute you captain; you, Mark, first lieutenant; Dean, second lieutenant.”
“But, Sir James—”
“Dr Robertson, I have planned all this, and I presume that I have a right to do as I please.”
“Certainly, sir,” said the doctor.
“And perhaps I may think it right to interfere when things are going on not to satisfy me.”