"No, sir, we did not. He told us that his name was Blake and that he had a brother who was also a captain, but you do not look like him." Bob smiled.
"That's true," the captain smiled back. "Frank is light and small while I am dark and rather above the average in size, but he's my brother just the same and more than that he's the best brother a man ever had."
"I can easily believe that, sir," Bob began and then stopped short. "No, I don't either," he corrected. "Make it as good a brother as a man ever had and I won't say a word, but he can't be any better than the one I've got."
The captain again reached out his hand and, as soon as Bob had grasped if, said:
"That's one of the finest things I ever heard, and I'll accept the suggestion. Son," he added turning to Jack whose face was flushed, "you also have a good brother so we might as well make it a trio."
"All I've got to say is that if you've got as good a brother as I have you've got as good as they make," Jack grinned.
"I'm not going to try to thank you," the captain continued after a moment's pause and both boys noticed that his eyes were dim with tears. "There are some things which are beyond thanks and—and I know you know how I feel."
"Indeed we do, sir," Jack assured him.
"But, during this trip you are my guests. I have already arranged for you to sit at my table."
"That's very good of you, sir, and we certainly do appreciate it," Bob assured him.