"Ah! Tippie," said Frank, "be careful of that; it is really all I have left me in the world."
Eean took occasion to add to this, "Nay, boy, you have hope, and you have youth, and you have health. Glorious possessions all; and if you trust to our Father, lad, He'll be a stronger rod and staff to you than that stick, sturdy and all though it be."
"Oh, well," said Frank, "I shan't need a stick long, for I've made up my mind to go to sea."
"What!" cried Toddie, "and be a midshipman like Fred? How nice!"
"Yes, that would be nice, Toddie; but, heigho! if I go at all it must be before the mast, or as an apprentice. Oh, Mr. Arundel," he added, colouring slightly, "even if I could afford the outfit of a midshipman I couldn't pass the examinations! I'm very stupid; but then——"
Frank paused.
"What were you going to say?" said Eean quietly
"Well, I was going to say what I have no business to say, because my dear mother always tried to do the best she could for me; but, sir, the constant changing of schools, and being allowed to do as I liked, and to have as many holidays as I pleased, have—have made a dunce of me. I wish I'd gone to a Scotch school like Fred."
"You're not a dunce, lad. You haven't had opportunities of learning, that is all."
"Heigho! I fear I'm spoiled and idle; but I'm going to try my very best to learn and to do well."