Part 10 (1/2)
”That he is; but the fish came to about that; the tautog are worth a quarter apiece.”
”You have done bravely, my boy. If you could make half as much money as that every day, we should have all we want, and more too.”
”I can, mother; and I mean to do so,” replied Paul, thinking this a good opportunity to announce his magnificent intentions.
”You mustn't be too confident, Paul.”
”I know I can.”
”And, pray, what do you mean to do?” inquired Mrs. Duncan, with an incredulous smile.
”I am going into the fis.h.i.+ng business, mother.”
”Into what?”
”Into the fis.h.i.+ng business.”
”What in the world do you mean by that?”
”I mean just what I say, mother!”
”Is the boy crazy?” demanded Mrs. Duncan, suspending her culinary operations, and looking with interest into the animated face of her son.
”I am as regular as I ever was in my life. I've thought it all over, and spoken to Captain Littleton besides; and he says go ahead,” replied Paul, making an early use of the captain's encouraging words.
”But I don't understand what you mean? Going into the fis.h.i.+ng business?”
”Yes, ma'am; we've got a boat, and I mean to go down to Rock Island every day, Sundays excepted, and catch perch. I mean to sell them here in Bayville, and Captain Littleton told me to put him down for two dozen every Sat.u.r.day. That's the idea, mother.”
”But, Paul----”
”If I can get a s.h.i.+lling a dozen for them, I can make a dollar a day as easy as you can turn your hand over,” added Paul, who was not disposed to let his mother speak upon impulse.
”You would have to be on the water every day.”
”What of that, mother? The water is a good thing to be on, and just as safe as the land, if you are only a mind to think so.”
”Rather dangerous, I'm afraid.”
”O, no, mother; it's only a notion some folks have, that the water isn't safe.”
”Hundreds of people are drowned every year.”
”And hundreds smashed up and killed on the railroads. Why, Captain Mitch.e.l.l don't think it is safe to go about much on the land. He only feels secure when he is in his old whale boat. He won't get into a chaise or a wagon--don't think it is safe to ride in them; but he knocks about the bay in all sorts of weather. Please don't object to it, mother, for I've set my heart upon the business, and I'm satisfied I shall do well,” said Paul, with kindling enthusiasm.
”Well, if you are set upon it, I don't want to say too much against it,”
replied Mrs. Duncan, doubtfully.