“What do you mean?”
“The doctor. Will you go with us, Instow?”
“I?” cried Doctor Instow, staring. “Only too glad of the chance. I’m sick of spending all my days in the sordid practice of trying to make money, when the world teems with wonders one would like to try and investigate. If I did not know that I was doing some little good amongst my fellow-creatures, my life would be unbearable, and I would have thrown it all up long ago.”
“Then if I decide to follow out your advice, you will come with us?”
“No,” said the doctor firmly; “it would not do.”
Jack brightened up again.
“Why would it not do?” said Sir John anxiously. “The plan is excellent, and I am most grateful to you for the suggestion. Come with us, Instow, for I certainly will go.”
Jack groaned.
“Look at him,” cried the doctor. “There’s spirit. The sooner you get to sea the better.”
“Yes, I have decided upon it, if you will come.”