"Exercising them in gunnery practice."
"Oh!—I remember how you told me about that in the gun deck of the 'Achilles.'"
"This was on board another ship. Her guns were well served upon an occasion that followed, and honourable mention was made of my services as having led to that result. Now shall I go on?"
"If you have any more to tell."
"I am going no further on that tack. You must come about."
"I suppose," said Dolly quaintly, "I must if you must."
"We were getting too far to leeward. We must come up into the wind a little more, Dolly, and face our difficulties. I think I have found the way out of them. As I understand you, it is quite a matter of uncertainty when, or if ever, Mr. Copley can be induced to leave England."
"Quite uncertain. Even if he promised to-day that he would go next week, I could not be sure but he would change his mind before the day came."
"And so long as he and your mother are here, they need you. Do you see, Dolly, what prospect that opens to us?"
"Yes."