"Yes, I'm going to work and win, as you told me, and when I come back I shall be respectable."
Bertha had her doubts on this point. She had almost lost all hope of her protégé, and she did not think that a voyage in the forecastle of a ship would be likely to improve his manners or his morals.
"I can't let you go, Noddy," said she.
"I must go; if I stay here they will put me in prison. You don't want to see me put in prison, Bertha."
"I don't."
"Then what can I do? The officers are after me this moment."
"But I shall have to tell my father that I have seen you."
"You may do that; and you may tell him, too, that it won't be any use for him to try to find me, for I shall keep out of the way. If they catch me they will be smarter than I am," added Noddy, confidently.
"I want to see you again, Noddy, after I have talked with father about you. I don't believe he intends to send you to prison."
"I know he does. I come over here to see you before I went away. I couldn't go without seeing you, or I shouldn't have come. I may never see you again, for I shan't run any more risks after this."