The captain was in excellent spirits, for his foot was almost well, and he was hoping to be back upon the river in a few days.  He was also greatly pleased at what Eben had done at Island Lake, and the praise he had received, especially in the newspapers.  In fact, the latter were almost worn out, so often had he read the articles, and shown them to every person who came to the house.

“Yes,” he continued, “Eben’s appetite’s all right, an’ I expect it’ll be hard to keep him filled, when we git back on the boat.”

“I don’t want to go back on the boat,” Eben replied.  “I’m sick of it.”

“Ye’ll have to git over yer sickness, then,” the captain reminded.  “I can’t git along without ye, an’ what is there fer ye to do if ye don’t go on the boat?”

“Oh, I’ll find something, dad.  I’m not worryin’ about that now.”

“How would you like to study civil engineering?” Jess asked.

Eben looked at her with surprise, wondering whether he had heard aright.  Then he smiled, somewhat wistfully.

“I mean it,” Jess insisted.  “Father is willing to send you to college, and pay all your expenses.  Isn’t it great?”

“Great!” Eben fairly shouted the word, weak though he was.  “Send me to college to be a civil engineer!  Say yer jist foolin’, ain’t ye?”

“Indeed I am not.  Daddy is willing and ready to do all he can to help you, so there.”

“But what am I to do?” the captain demanded.  “If Eben goes to college, I’ll be left alone on the ‘Eb an’ Flo.’  Guess I might as well close up bizness, too.”

“Oh, daddy will make that all right, Captain.  We talked it over this afternoon, so if you agree to let Eben go to college, he will arrange with you about the boat.  Daddy is very much interested in the scheme.”

“H’m, it seems to me he’s changed a great deal since the night he was here asking about you.  He was like a roarin’ lion then.”

“He has changed, Captain, until I hardly know him.  I believe it was his narrow escape from death which did it.  He is so gentle now, and a real companion.  I am so thankful!  And you will agree to let Eben go, won’t you?”

“Guess we’ll have to see Martha an’ Flo, Miss.  They’ll have the most to say.  But mebbe they’ll agree, fer they’d like to see the boy git on.”

“Where do I come in on this?” Eben unexpectedly asked.  “I’m goin’ to college, no matter what anyone says.  I’m old enough now to think fer myself, an’ I’m goin’ to.”

“Tut, tut, Eben,” his father chided.  “Ye needn’t git on yer high-horse.  Sartinly yer goin’ to college.  Yer ma an’ Flo’ll agree.  I’ll jist go after ’em.  They’re doin’ the chores.  We might as well git this matter settled while you’re here, Miss.  It’ll smooth things somewhat to have you present.  You kin explain to Martha better’n I kin.”

The captain stepped off the verandah, and limped around the corner of the house in the direction of the barn.  No sooner had he disappeared than Eben leaned eagerly toward his visitors.