“I could, if any fellow could.”
“Clyde is very fond of the sea; indeed, he worries me sadly by his adventurous spirit,” said his mother.
“I think it would do him good to go to sea,” added the principal, rather dryly.
“The students made a beautiful appearance in their boats to-day,” continued Mrs. Blacklock. “It was really very, very wonderful.”
“They handle the boats very well indeed, but their skill was only acquired by long and careful training. As we have a considerable number of visitors on board, madam, we will show you a little seamanship. Captain Cumberland,” he added, turning to the young commander, who had been making himself agreeable to Miss Celia Blacklock.
The captain asked the young lady to excuse him, and stepping up to the principal, bowed gracefully, and raised his cap.
“He’s a regular swell,” said Clyde to his man.
“He’s a young gentleman as is highly polished, which these naval officers is generally,” replied Jeems.
Mr. Lowington directed the captain to call all hands, and go through the evolutions of loosing and furling, for the gratification of the guests of the ship. Captain Cumberland bowed and raised his cap again as he retired, and the principal hoped that Clyde would take a lesson in good manners from him.
“Will you walk to the quarter-deck, Miss Blacklock,” said the captain, touching his cap to the young lady, to whom he had been formally introduced by the principal. “We are going to loose and furl, and you can see better there than here.”