The boy's eyes glowed with excitement.
"Oh, wouldn't I like to sail on a big ship to some place that was different from Mulberry Court!" cried he.
"The places I've been in lately were certainly different from Mulberry Court!" sighed Captain Dillingham. "And perhaps had you seen them you would be as glad as I am to be at Mulberry Court."
"Maybe! I'd like a peep at something else, though."
"Maybe some day you'll be having it," returned the sea captain jocosely. "Who knows! I may be taking you to India with me when you're older."
"Frederick!" came from Mrs. McGregor in a horrified tone.
"You wouldn't like to see the shaver starting off for India, Nellie? And why not?" laughed her brother. "India is a fine country. Besides, traveling the world is a great way to study its geography. I'll be willing to wager, now, that not one of these older children, though they have been to school since they were knee high, could tell me offhand where the Suez Canal is."
Consternation greeted the assertion and there was dead silence.
"There! What did I tell you?" returned Captain Dillingham triumphantly. "And should I try them on the Bay of Biscay or the Ganges it would be no better."
The stillness was oppressive.