"Well, sir, I don't want any reward at all, I only did my duty, and the hermit has often told me that when I clearly saw my duty, I was to go straight for it, through thick and thin. But, sir—"
He paused, looking shy.
"Well, lad?"
"You may lend me a book to read."
Mr. Nugent took his pipe out of his mouth to laugh aloud.
"A book, my boy! A book for saving all our lives! Ha, ha, ha! This is really too amusing.
"But, tell me," he added, "what you would like to be?"
"Nothing at all. Just live on the island with Daddy."
"Nonsense, that will never do."
"Well, sir, I suppose I must leave Daddy and Oscar, but if I do, I shall go to sea, before the mast."