“How much?”
“Twenty-five dollars a month.”
“More than half the month has passed. Why don’t you strike him for a part of your salary?”
“He would think I had no use for money on board.”
“All the same, lad, ask him. It won’t do no harm, and if you get anything, it will help you after you have left him. You can’t get along in England without money, or, for that matter, anywhere else.”
“I can think of one place, Jack.”
“Where’s that?”
“Where Robinson Crusoe was wrecked on a desolate island money was of no use to him, though I believe some was saved from the wreck.”
“You’re right there, lad; but as soon as he got off it would help him.”
“Well, Jack, I’ll take your advice, and let you know what he says.”