"Somewhat better, I guess," was the reply.
"He's a great deal better, Miss," the captain declared. "I'm merely judgin' by the way he eats, fer that's allus a sure sign with Eben of jist how he's feeling."
The captain was in excellent spirits, for his foot was almost well, and he was hoping to be back upon the river in a few days. He was also greatly pleased at what Eben had done at Island Lake, and the praise he had received, especially in the newspapers. In fact, the latter were almost worn out, so often had he read the articles, and shown them to every person who came to the house.
"Yes," he continued, "Eben's appetite's all right, an' I expect it'll be hard to keep him filled, when we git back on the boat."
"I don't want to go back on the boat," Eben replied. "I'm sick of it."
"Ye'll have to git over yer sickness, then," the captain reminded. "I can't git along without ye, an' what is there fer ye to do if ye don't go on the boat?"
"Oh, I'll find something, dad. I'm not worryin' about that now."
"How would you like to study civil engineering?" Jess asked.
Eben looked at her with surprise, wondering whether he had heard aright. Then he smiled, somewhat wistfully.
"I mean it," Jess insisted. "Father is willing to send you to college, and pay all your expenses. Isn't it great?"