"It must be horrid, but I suppose it can't be helped. I don't see how anybody can want to steal."
Sam thought he could understand. It was not so long since he himself had tried to appropriate the property of another; but he only determined that this should not happen again. He could not consent to forfeit the good opinion of Julia Stockton, and the class to which she belonged. A new ambition began to stir in Sam's soul—the ambition to lead a thoroughly respectable life, and to rise to some creditable position.
"I will turn over a new leaf, I really will," he said to himself. "I'll be a very different boy from what I have been."
They remained outside a while longer, till the steamer had passed through the channel into the broader waters of the Sound, and then re-entered the cabin. The gong for supper had already sounded.
"Won't you go down to supper?" asked Sam.
"Yes, I think I will. You will come, too?"
"Yes, I will go, too," answered Sam, feeling complimented by the invitation.
As they were approaching the stairs, Julia dropped a scarf from her neck. It was picked up by a gentleman, who handed it to Sam, with the remark, "Your sister has dropped her scarf."
"He takes you for my sister," said Sam, turning to Julia with evident pleasure.
"I am afraid you wouldn't own me for a sister," said Julia, smiling coquettishly.