“That is capital! Evidently Mr. Saunders is a liberal man; and I am sure I am very glad, not only for your sake, but for the sake of my old friend, your father. How long do you stay in Bayport?”
“That depends partly upon you.”
“How is that?”
“I may be your passenger on your next voyage.”
“You mean to go back to Bombay, then?”
“Yes; or at least in that direction. How long before you will start?”
“Well, you see, Guy, that isn’t an easy question to answer.”
“Why not, captain?” asked Guy, puzzled.
“I’ll tell you. I have been cruising about for about fifteen years without any vacation, and I am minded to stay at home for six months at least, more especially as my only sister is coming on from Wisconsin, where she has been living ever since her marriage, twenty years since. There are only two of us now, for all the rest of the family are dead, and I may never see her again, as she means to go back to Wisconsin after her visit.”
“I see, captain,” said Guy, in a tone of disappointment. “Of course, I can’t blame you, but it will interfere with my plans.”