“Well, now, that is good news,” cried Robin, applying himself to the viands on the table with renewed zest. “You cannot have the smallest objection or anxiety, mother, I should think, when you know I shall be under so able a guide.”
“I have not yet thought it over, Robin.”
“And you, father?”
“Go, my boy, and my blessing go with you,” said Mr Wright, all but choking the blessing with a huge oyster.
“Are any labourers to go with us?” asked Robin.
“One or two picked ones.”
“Then you must allow me to pick one, Sam. My friend Jim Slagg is at present cast adrift with a considerable part of the Great Eastern’s crew. He will be delighted to go, I know, and is a first-rate, hard-working, willing, conscientious youth.”
“He ought to be proud of having so warm a friend and advocate,” said Sam, “but I have no power to choose the men.”
“O yes, you have, Sam. If you could get me appointed, you can get him appointed; and you must, for, if you don’t, I won’t go.”
“You are hard on me, Robin, but I’ll try.”