You have told us, Mr. Fullerton, that you must, in time, fit up half a
dozen cruisers, if you mean to work efficiently, and our preliminary
experiment will decide whether sail or steam is the better. Now, Blair,
you must let me fit up your boat for a cruise."
"And pray why, Croesus? You talk as if you meant going a-buccaneering."
"I don't know what you call it, but I'm going round among those fleets
with my niece, and I shall start in a week. If I'm satisfied, you shall
hear from me." "And I'm going to play truant and go with you, Cassall,"
said Sir James.
"All right; that being so, we'll join the ladies."
Henry Fullerton and Blair walked to the station together that night, and
the enthusiast said, "I pray that my brain may be able to bear this."
"Your fiddlestick, bear this! I wish some one would give me L150,000 to
carry out my pet fad. I'd bear it, and go on bearing it, quite
gallantly, I assure you, my friend."
A very happy pair of people were left to chat in Cassall's drawing-room
as the midnight drew near. Sir James had retired early after the two
good old boys had addressed each other as buccaneers and shellbacks, and
made all sorts of nautical jokes. The discussion as to who should be
admiral promised to supply a month's fun, but Cassall pretended to
remember that Phoenix Sawbones would certainly wish to be commander, on
account of the young puppy's experience.
Marion whispered to her uncle, "I do believe you will make yourself
very happy;" and the old gentleman answered, "It really seems to be more
like a question of making _you_ happy, you little jilt.
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