“I mean to be a doctor!”
“What!” roared the two officers together.
Crack! crack!
“Put that walnut and those crackers down, sir!” said the captain, sternly. “I am glad your uncle started this subject, for it was time we had an explanation. Do you know that with his interest at the Admiralty and mine you could be entered on board a first-rate man-of-war?”
“Yes, and well looked after, sir,” cried the admiral; “so that when you had properly gone through your term, and been master’s mate long enough, your promotion would have been certain.”
“Yes, uncle, father has often said so,” replied Sydney, reaching for another walnut, and taking up the crackers.
“Put that walnut down, sir,” cried his father.
Sydney obeyed, and to keep his hands under control thrust them in his pockets and leaned back in his chair.
“Well, sir,” said his uncle, “does not that make you feel proud?”
“No, uncle.”