Part 57 (1/2)

”No; because you couldn't help that when you were a little fellow. Now you have grown, and are getting a big one, you ought to think of letting him be an expense to you, and you keep him. That's what I'm going to do as soon as ever I get old enough.”

”That's right,” said Will, looking at his companion thoughtfully. ”I say, is your father going to open a mine down here?”

”I don't know quite for certain,” said d.i.c.k; ”but I think he's going to try and find something fresh, and work that.”

”What--some new metal?”

”I don't know,” said d.i.c.k, ”and I don't think he quite knows yet. It all depends upon what he can find good enough.”

”I wish I could find something very valuable,” said Will thoughtfully--”something that I could show him; and then he might give me work in it, so that I could be independent.”

”Well, let's try and find something good. I'll go with you,” said d.i.c.k.

”When?”

”Not now. Oh! I say, I must get back; I am so precious hungry.”

It was quite time; but they had not far to go, though when d.i.c.k did enter the room it was to find his father and Arthur half through their meal.

”Three quarters of an hour late, d.i.c.k,” said his father. ”I waited half an hour for you before I sat down. Where have you been?”

”To look at the sea, father; and up on the cliff to see how the wind blew--how strong, I mean.”

”Sit down,” said his father rather sternly. ”I like punctuality, and would rather know when you are going out.”

”Yes, father,” said d.i.c.k, ”I'll try and remember. I'm very sorry.”

Mr Temple did not answer, but raised the newspaper he was reading, and this covered his face.

Evidently Arthur thought it covered his ears as well, for he said rather importantly:--

”I was here punctually to the moment.”

”Arthur,” said his father quietly, ”you had better go on with your breakfast, and not talk so much.”

Arthur coloured, and the breakfast was eaten during the rest of the time in silence--a state of affairs of which d.i.c.k took advantage, for the sea air had a wonderful effect upon his food-a.s.similating powers, and his performance on this particular morning made his brother leave off to stare.

”My, d.i.c.k!” he exclaimed at last as that gentleman made an attack upon a second fried sole, one of several brought in by the trawl-boat on the previous night, ”I say, how you are eating!”

”Yes,” said d.i.c.k, grinning, ”I'm a growing boy.”

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

UNCLE ABRAM COMES AS AN AMBa.s.sADOR, AND GAINS HIS ENDS.

”I wanted to make our expedition,” said Mr Temple, ”but it is impossible, of course, to-day in the face of such a storm. What are you boys going to do?”

”Read, papa,” said Arthur. ”It is too rough to go out.”