“I shrink from the responsibility,” said Brazier.
“I’ll take the responsibility, then,” cried Rob eagerly.
“Suppose I say ‘no’?”
Giovanni’s countenance changed at every speech, being one moment clouded, the next bright. And now as that word “No” rang out he clasped his hands together and raised them with a gesture full of despair. Then his eyes lit up again, for Rob said quickly,—
“Don’t say it, then. He would be so horribly disappointed now.”
“Si! Take Giovanni,” said the skipper, and the boy gave him a grateful glance.
“But suppose anything happens to him?”
The Italian captain could not grasp the meaning of this last speech, and turned to his son, who rendered it into their own tongue.
“Oh,” replied the captain in the same language, “it is fate. He must take care of himself. Suppose I fall overboard, and am drowned, or the fish eat me? Yes, he must take care.”
“You would like him with us, then, Rob?” said Brazier.