"Oh, shut up and let a fellow eat," said Alick, and then something about "first-class flunkeys."
But at that moment the parlour-maid came with his father's message and he had to return to the drawing-room.
"On second thoughts," said the Speaker, "we have decided that you are not to go to sea. We have only one son, and I suppose we must do our best with him. You haven't brains enough for building, so, if you are not to go back to school, you must stay on the land and learn to look after these farms in Andreas."
"I'll do my best to please you, Sir," said Alick.
"But listen to this," said the Speaker, "Dan Baldromma has been here, and we know who the girl was. There is to be no more mischief in that quarter. You must never see her or hear from her again as long as you live—is it a promise?"
"Yes, Sir," said Alick, and he meant to keep it.
CHAPTER FOUR
ENTER FENELLA STANLEY
The winter passed, the spring came and nothing was done for Victor. His father made no effort to provide for his future, whether at another school, at college, or in a profession.
"I wonder at the Dempster, I really do," said Auntie Kitty.