“Wherefore I decide that, as Henry intended to let Rollo have the dipper for the whole expedition, and as he took Rollo’s basket, and Rollo agreed to let him have some drink, as conditions, therefore, he ought not to have reclaimed the dipper. Since he did reclaim it, Rollo did perfectly right to give it up, fish and all; and as he did so, it was a bailment for the benefit of the bailee, that is, Henry. And of course it was at his risk, and, in strict justice, Rollo has a right to claim compensation for the loss of his fish. But then I should hope he won’t insist upon it.”
“Well, sir,” said Rollo, “I don’t care much about it now.”
“You see, Henry,” continued Rollo’s father, “I haven’t been talking about this all this time on account of the value of the fish, but to have you understand some of the principles you ought to regard, when any other’s property is in your possession. So, now, you may all go.”
“Well, uncle,” said James, as the children rose from their seats, “haven’t you got some great box that we can have for our cabinet?”
“Your cabinet?” asked his uncle.
“Yes, sir, we want to make a museum.”
“Why, Rollo has got a cabinet. Jonas made him one.”
“Yes, sir; but he wants his for himself, and we want one for our society.”
“You may have mine, now,” said Rollo; “I am not going to have one alone. I have concluded to let you have mine. Come.”
So Rollo moved on, as if he wished to go. In fact, he had an instinctive feeling that his conduct in respect to the cabinet and the society would not bear examination, and he wanted to go.