“Don’t tell me any more of this prodigy, Harry. Remember that I am a bachelor and a sailor,” said the captain, laughing heartily.
“I don’t forget that, old friend, but I want you to know that Miss Chain is a much-maligned young lady; she and her mother were in a state of downright want when Tom Trigger introduced them to me.”
“And you will never regret having done them a good turn, and now that I am reminded of your sterling qualities, Harry, I really must tell you something your uncle asked me last evening. He wanted to know if I could bring you to think more about commercial and matrimonial affairs.”
“Oh, yes, I know very well what he and my father want me to do, but I don’t see it at present.”
“I told him that I didn’t much care about speaking to you on such subjects, and that I was more likely to be converted by you, as I had always had a desire to go up in a balloon.”
“And what did my uncle say to that, Link?”
“He said he didn’t mind what I did, even if I took you to sea with me, so long as I led you out of the way of ballooning.”
“And suppose that I lead you away into the upper regions over land and sea, what would my uncle say then?”
“Why, I should lose my character and my ship, too, very likely,” replied Link, with consternation plainly written on his face.
“Not you, captain; you’ve too much mettle in you to be cast aside for preaching to me in cloudland.”