“Well,” said Captain Norton sternly, “and have you asked him?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What does he say?”
“He says no,” said the colonel firmly. “There is no doubt, I suppose, that I am going to run some risks, and I begin to feel now that I am hardly warranted in exposing my own son to these dangers. I should certainly not be right in exposing the son of a friend to them, even if that friend consented, which he would not. Am I right, Norton?”
“Quite right,” said the gentleman addressed.
“Then we need say no more about it,” cried the colonel. “Pray, my boy, help us by dissuading your new friend from thinking about so mad a project. We must not make Captain and Mrs Norton regret their kindness to us.”
“No, father. I understand,” said Perry.
“Then there is an end of the matter,” said the colonel.
“Not quite,” said their host, smiling, “I am still hoping that you will stay with us, Perry.”