“Sure of it, sir.”
“It’s a hard life, mind you. Especially at first.”
“Shan’t mind that, sir.”
“You’ll undergo pretty severe preparation; we shall have to find out from the doctor whether you can stand it or not. Her Majesty doesn’t want half and half sort of lads in her navy.”
“I think I shall be all right, sir. I’ve improved wonderful in the years I’ve been here.”
“Made a man of you, have we?”
“You have that, sir,” said Bobbie.
“Well, then—”
“Something was said,” interrupted the carpenter, still smarting, “about this lad having a fairly good record. I should like to be kindly informed what his record actually is. If there’s anything against him it’s only right and fair and honest and just that we should know about it now.”
The Superintendent explained, and Robert Lancaster went white at the lips as he heard the account—by no means a harsh account—of his escape from the Homes.