"You must go to school."
"It don't keep."
"Ask mother, then; if she is willing, I am."
"Have you got a line for me?"
"Yes."
John Duncan, for his years, was almost as much of a sailor and fisherman as Paul. Both of them took to the water like ducks, and seemed to understand all about a boat as if by instinct. The prospect of a day down below fired the imagination of the "young salt," and he ran up the bluff with all his might to obtain the desired permission.
"May I go a-fishing with Paul to-morrow, mother?" shouted he, as he rushed into the parlor, without noticing the presence of Captain Littleton.
"We will see about that by and by. Take off your cap."
"How do you do, John?" said Captain Littleton.