And, full of enthusiasm, the two friends sat throwing suggestions at one another, nearly forgetting the presence of Jack, who did not catch a spark of their excitement, but sat gazing at them with lack-lustre eyes, and a weary, woe-begone expression of countenance, for it seemed to him that all was over, that he was to be dragged away from his studious pursuits to a dreary end. His father and their old friend the doctor meant well, no doubt; but he knew that they were mistaken, and when the doctor left at last, it was for Sir John to wake up to the fact that he had never seen his son look so despondent before.
“Why, Jack, lad, what a face!” cried Sir John merrily.
The boy looked in his eyes, but said nothing. “Come, come, the doctor’s right. Put away the books, and help me to prepare for our cruise.”
“Then you really mean for us to go, father?” said the lad.
“Yes; I have quite made up my mind.” Jack sighed like a girl.
“But you will let me take a few boxes of books, father?”
“A few natural history works of reference, nothing more. Bah! don’t be so narrow-minded, boy. We shall be where Nature’s own grand library is always open before us to read. We shall want no books. Come, pluck up, my lad; all this means ill health. Instow is perfectly right, and the sooner we begin our preparations the better.”
“Father!” cried the boy passionately, “it will kill me.”
“No,” said Sir John, taking the boy’s hand, and laying his own right affectionately upon his shoulder; “if I thought it would hurt you I would not stir a step; but I feel that it is to bring you back to a healthy life.”
Jack sighed again, and shook his head.