“I will.”

When Captain Spark and Mrs. Henderson went home from the donation supper that night they discussed on the way the further plans of sending Bob to sea.

“We must consult Mr. Henderson about it,” said the captain.

“I shall, this very night.  I will put up with Bob’s nonsense no longer.”

Mr. Henderson was found sitting in the dining-room, reading a paper.  He had sent Bob to bed on arriving at the house, for Mr. Henderson was a man who did not believe in inflicting punishment in the heat of passion.  He wanted to calm down before he decided how his son ought to be made to realize the wrong he had done.  To tell the truth, he was quite at a loss just what punishment to inflict.

He had thought of a sound whipping, but he realized, as had the minister, that Bob was too old for this.  Nothing so breaks the proud spirit of a boy as personal chastisement, after he has reached a certain age.

And, as yet, Mr. Henderson was not aware of the proposition Captain Spark had made to Bob’s mother, and her practical acceptance of it.  Of course, Mr. Henderson had heard the first talk of sending Bob to sea, but after his wife’s refusal to consider it he had thought no more about it.

“Well, Enos,” asked Mrs. Henderson, as she and the captain entered, “have you considered what to do with Bob?”

“I have, Lucy, but I have reached no conclusion.”

“I have.”

“You have?  What is it?”

“I am going to send him on a voyage with Captain Spark.  That is, if you consent.”

“I will agree to anything you think best.  But I think you will find it hard work to get Bob to go.  I fear he will dislike the idea very much.”

“Why so?” inquired the captain.

“Well, Bob has many friends in the village—­many boy-chums—­and I think he would object very strongly to leaving them, and going off among a lot of strange men in a ship.”

“I wouldn’t be a stranger to him.”

“No, you would not, but the others would be.  And I think he would be somewhat afraid.”

“Afraid?  What’s there to be afraid of on the ocean, with a stout deck beneath your feet?  The ocean is the safest place in the world.  I’m frightened half out of my wits every time I come on land.  There are so many chances of accidents.  The train may run off the track, steam-boilers may blow up, there may be an earthquake, a wild bull may chase you, you may fall down a coal-hole and break your neck, or a building may topple over on you while you’re walking peacefully along the street.  No such things as those can happen to you on the ocean.”

“No, perhaps not, but there are others as bad, or worse, captain.”

“Nonsense!  It may blow a bit, now and then, but all you’ve got to do is mind your helm and you’ll come out all right.”

“I am glad you think so.  I should be very glad to have Bob make a trip with you.  I think it would do him good, but I fear he will object to it.”