"I bet I is careful o' you!" Jonathan declared. "An' I'll keep on bein' so. Eh, Toby?"
The lad turned to Archie.
"I'm havin' a wonderful bringin' up, sir," said he. "My gran'pa is wonderful careful o' me. With the wonderful bringin' up I'm havin' I ought t' turn out a wonderful clever man."
"You will!" Archie replied.
"That ye will!" said Bill o' Burnt Bay.
"Pray God," said the lad, "I'm worthy!"
Jonathan gave the lad a little clap on the back. Archie thought it was to thank him for the expression of confidence. And it made the lad squirm and grin like a patted puppie.
"What you think of un, Bill?" Jonathan inquired.
It was a wistful question. Jonathan seemed to want a word of praise. And Bill gave it with all his heart.
"Big as a whale!" said he.