“It would be a great shame to do that,” answered Peter, “and I hope you won’t try. God would, I am sure, not allow you to go unpunished.”
“You see, youngster, if I am not as good as my word,” growled Hixon.
Peter prayed that the old seaman’s hard heart might be softened, and that he might be prevented committing such a crime.
“I don’t think if you read the book you would wish to destroy it,” said Peter. “It is full of such beautiful things, that you would like to read them over and over again if you were once to begin.”
“I can’t read, so there’s little chance of that,” said Hixon.
“But will you let me read them to you?” asked Peter. “I shall be very glad to do that.”
“What! when I have told you that I would heave the book overboard if I found you reading it?” said the old man.
“That makes no difference,” said Peter, “only just listen to one or two.”
“Not I. I don’t want to hear your yarns,” said Hixon, turning away.
Peter went on reading, and the old man did not further interfere with him.