Dory hesitated. It was a disagreeable topic to him, and he would gladly have avoided it. It was plain enough that the Sylph was following the Goldwing, but Dory could think of no reason why she should do so.
"Do you know Captain Gildrock, her owner?" asked Pearl again, and with more energy than before.
"I do know him: he is my uncle," replied Dory, who could see no reason why he should conceal the disagreeable truth—for it was disagreeable to him—from the skipper.
"Your uncle!" exclaimed Pearl, apparently startled at the reply. "Do you mean to say that Captain Gildrock is your uncle, you young cub?"
"I mean to say it, and I do say it."
But Dory wished with all his might that the captain was not his uncle, or any other relation.
"He is one of the richest men in this part of the country," added Pearl, looking astern at the elegant steam-yacht.
"I know it; but I don't have any thing to do with him, and I don't think he is coming after this boat on my account," added Dory.
"I suppose you will be glad to get on board of her," suggested Pearl, who had now become quite nervous in spite of his fine philosophy.
"No, I shouldn't. I was never on board of the Sylph in my life; and I shall not go on board of her if I can help it," answered Dory.