Part 10 (2/2)

”Captain Littleton will speak to you about it, and he understands these things.”

”I know he does; but after all, I would rather have you safe on land.”

”I shall be safe enough, mother; and I shall be able to take care of the family without your making bags.”

”You are a good boy, Paul,” added his mother, turning from him to wipe away the tears that moistened her eyes, for in the loneliness of her widowhood she realized what it was to have such a n.o.ble and devoted son.

Paul was delighted to think he had so easily smoothed over matters with her. He had expected to have a hard beat to windward in reconciling her to his plan, but she had proved much more reasonable than he antic.i.p.ated. He attributed his ready victory in a great measure to the influence of Captain Littleton's name, and he was confident he would remove any remaining doubts she might harbor.

After dinner Paul went up to his room, and taking from his drawer a little account book, which had long been waiting to be used, he entered the amount of the day's sales upon the first page.

”Little by little,” said he, as he returned the book to the drawer, ”and one of these days I shall be rich.”

This was a very comforting reflection, and notwithstanding the possible slip between the cup and the lip, he enjoyed the full benefit of it.

CHAPTER VII.

PAUL GOES INTO BUSINESS ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT.

Before night, all the arrangements for the next day's trip were completed, and Paul retired at an early hour, so as to be up in season in the morning. The excitement which his great project created in his mind, however, would not let him sleep till he was actually exhausted with thinking. He did not wake till five o'clock in the morning, which made him so ashamed of himself, that he could hardly conceal his vexation, especially as he found his mother was up, and his breakfast was nearly ready, when he went down-stairs. But on reflection he found he was early enough, for it would be low tide nearly an hour later than on the preceding day.

While he was eating his breakfast, his brother John came down. It was an unusually early hour for him to rise, and it was evident from the haste with which he completed his toilet, after he found Paul had not gone, that he had an idea of his own, as well as his brother.

”Mayn't I go with you, Paul?” asked he.

”You must go to school.”

”Mayn't I stay away from school to-day, mother?” added he, turning quickly to Mrs. Duncan.

”I'd rather you wouldn't, John.”

”Why not, mother?” whined he.

”I don't want you to stay out of school a single day, when it can be prevented.”

”I should think I might go with Paul. I can catch as many fish as he can.”

”Paul is older than you are, and he always kept close to his school till he left.”

”I want to do something towards supporting the family, as well as he.”

Mrs. Duncan laughed, and so did Paul; for however ambitious the young gentleman might have been to bear his full share of the burden of the family, it was too evident that his taste for boating and fis.h.i.+ng was the dominant motive for absenting himself from school.

”Let me go with you, Paul.”

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