"I shall have to love you a good deal."
He caught hold of her reluctant hand and covered it with kisses.
"If you think that your father might object to me because I am a seaman, tell him that my father is well off, and that I am his only son. Both Uros and I have gone to sea by choice, and to see a little of the world; still, we are not to be sailors all our lives."
Afterwards he began to ask her whether she would not like to come and sail with him in summer, when he would be master of the brig; then again he ended by begging her to allow him to speak to her father.
"No, not now. It is better for you to go away and see if you do not forget me. Besides, neither your father nor your mother know anything about me, and it may happen that they have other views about you."
"Their only aim is my happiness."
"Still, they might think that you were wheedled——"
"How could they think so ill of you?"
"You forget that they do not know me. Anyhow, it is more dutiful that you should speak to them before you speak to my father."
"Well, perhaps you are right. Only, you see, I love you so; I should be so frightened to lose you."