"I'm ready, sir," replied Perth, with brazen assurance.
"As your conduct is hardly becoming an officer and a gentleman, you will clothe yourself in a seaman's dress," added the principal, taking the shoulder-straps from his coat. "When a young man can stand up and reel off a string of lies without blushing, he is not fit to associate with those who are competent to be officers of this ship."
"I earned my rank, sir," said Perth, who had an idea that he should sleep in the cabin of the Josephine during his intended short stay on board of her.
"And forfeited it by your gross misconduct. You will obey the orders given you," added the principal, as he turned and walked away.
Peaks did not take his eye off the offender, but attended him to the cabin, where he was supplied with a seaman's suit. Perth objected to changing his clothing with a pertinacity which provoked the boatswain.
"If you say you won't change the clothes, I will report to Mr. Lowington," said Peaks.
"Well, I won't."
"All right, my hearty;" and the old sailor left the state-room.
But he had not reached the deck before Perth hailed him.
"I will put them on, Mr. Peaks. I've thought better of it," said he, throwing off his frock coat, as the boatswain appeared at the door of the room.