Clyde positively refused to leave the ship, though his mother, almost in tears, begged him to accompany her.
“My son won’t go with me,” said she, as Mr. Lowington came towards her to ascertain the cause of their delay.
“If you desire, madam, the boatswain will put him into the boat for you,” replied the principal.
“Put me into the boat!” exclaimed the indignant youth. “I should be glad to see him do it!”
“Should you? Peaks!”
“On deck, sir,” replied the big boatswain, touching his cap to the principal.
“Pray, don’t, sir—don’t!” begged the lady. “Clyde wants to go to sea in your ship.”
“O, does he, indeed!” exclaimed the principal. “We have a vacant place, and he can be accommodated.”
The fond mother’s heart sank at this announcement. Mr. Lowington, though his experience with students of this description had been far from satisfactory, felt that his duty to humanity required him to take this boy, who was evidently on the high road to ruin through the weak indulgence of his mother.