“Yes, sir, please, Sir John,” cried the man earnestly. “I’d give anything to go.”
Sir John looked at the man searchingly.
“Humph!” he said at last. “Well, I suppose it would sound attractive to a young man of your age.”
“Attractive ain’t the word for it, Sir John,” cried the man.
Sir John smiled.
“Some people differ in their opinions, my lad,” he said, with a meaning glance at his son.
“Yes, Sir John, meaning Master—Mister Jack; but he don’t half understand what it means yet.”
“You are quite right, Edward. In his delicate state he does not quite grasp what it means.”
“Oh, father,” cried the lad reproachfully; “don’t speak like that. Once more, indeed I am not ill.”
“Humph!” said Sir John, smiling, “not ill? What do you think, Edward?”