“A gentleman’s word is enough, sir. Well, I will not profess ignorance. My sister did once drop me a kind of hint about my duties, and I have noticed a little thing now and then.”
“You have noticed, sir?” cried Stratton, looking startled.
“Oh, yes,” said the admiral, smiling. “I’m not an observant man over such matters; in fact, I woke up only three months ago to find how blind I could be; but in your case I did have a few suspicions; for you young men are very transparent.”
“Really, Sir Mark, I assure you,” faltered Stratton, “I have been most guarded.”
“Of course you have, my lad. Well, I am a poor pilot in love matters, but I don’t see here why we should not go straight ahead. You are both young and suitable for each other. Rebecca swears by you, and I confess that I rather like you when you are not so confoundedly learned.”
“Sir Mark!” cried Stratton, his voice husky with emotion, “in my wildest moments I never thought—”
“That I should be such an easy-going fellow, eh? But we are running too fast, boy. There is the young lady to think about.”
“Of course—of course, sir.”
“Not the custom to consult the ship about her captain, but we will here,” cried Sir Mark with a laugh; “they generally appoint the captain right off. We’ll have her down, bless her. A good girl, Stratton, and I congratulate you.”
“But one moment, sir,” faltered the young man; “is it kind—so suddenly—give me leave to speak to her first.”