“Well,” said the doctor, slowly and thoughtfully, as he looked at the two lads, who were intently listening for his words, “what do you think, Rodd? Shall we sail in company with the brig for a little longer?”
“Am I to be judge, uncle?” said the boy merrily. “Yes, if you like.”
“Well, then,” said the lad, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, as he found that Morny with lips parted was gazing at him with a look of appeal, “you see, uncle, we have been together a good while now, and though we tried to help the brig we seem to have dragged it into a good deal of mischief.”
“What are you saying, Rodd?” cried Morny passionately.
“Oh, I mean that we have helped you a bit, but you have been very unlucky since we have been together. Still, if Morny doesn’t mind risking it, and doesn’t mind putting up with my jokes about la belle France, and yours, uncle, about the Emperor Napoleon—”
Morny started, and looked sharply at his father.
”—though by this time,” continued Rodd, “I suppose you, sir, have found out that at heart uncle is very fond of the Emperor, and admires him very much—”
“You impudent young scoundrel, how dare you!” growled the doctor. “Bah!” he muttered to himself, “Temper!” Then turning quickly to the Count, he said almost apologetically, “Don’t take any notice. I have spoilt him, sir; I have spoilt him. Look here, my dear sir; I shall very much regret the day when we have to part, for my own sake and for my nephew’s, for since he has had the advantage of your son’s companionship I have been in hopes that he would acquire something of his refinement and polish, and that it might lead in time to his achieving to somewhat of the carriage of a gentleman. I regret to say that so far he is as rough and boorish as ever. Still, in the hope that every one of his opportunities may not be thrown away, I shall be glad to prolong the intimacy a little longer. There, sir,” he snapped out, as he turned sharply upon Rodd, “what do you say to that?”
“It’s all right, Morny,” said the boy quietly. “Go on polishing. I’ll be more attentive now, uncle.”
Morny gave him a quick nod, and turned then to grasp Uncle Paul’s hand, while the brig and the schooner went sailing on westward ho!