d in a measure subsided.

"I did not expect to see you take part with the boys, Mr. Stoute," said
the learned gentleman, in a grieved tone.

"If I take any part at all, I hope it will be on the right side,"
replied Mr. Stoute.

"Which means, I suppose, that I am on the wrong side," replied Mr.
Hamblin, with a heavy sigh.

"It means exactly that," added the other, candidly.

"You think, then, that the boys have done precisely right--do you?"

"Without saying that, I am compelled to believe you were in the wrong."

"That boy threatened to arrest me," continued Mr. Hamblin, with
something like a shudder; "and all the crew gave three cheers for
Captain Kendall!"

"I could hardly resist the temptation to join with them in giving the
cheers," replied Mr. Stoute, consolingly. "The conduct of Captain
Kendall filled me with admiration."

"Mr. Stoute, do you consider that a proper remark to make to me?"

"You will not understand anything but the plainest speech, and I intend
to be perfectly candid with you. You interfered with the discipline of
the vessel, and because the captain respectfully declined to recall the
boat, you threw yourself into a passion, and behaved in a most
ungentlemanly and undignified manner. Positively, sir, I am ashamed of
you! You called the captain a puppy, sir!"

"He's only a boy," answered Mr. Hamblin, in whom this plain talk seemed
to create a doubt in regard to his conduct.

"Any boy has the right to be treated like a gentleman when he behaves
like one, even if his opinion does not agree with our own; and
especially is this true of the captain."

"He was utterly lacking in judgment. The conduct of McDougal was a
personal matter, and Mr. Kendall should have consulted me."

"Allowing that the captain was wrong,--though I do not think that he was
wrong,--it does not improve the aspect of your conduct."

"You think Mr. Lowington will not sustain me--do you?"

"Certainly not."

"I could hardly expect it, since he has a much higher regard for that
boy than for me," sighed Mr. Hamblin.

"It is eight o'clock, and time for the recitations to commence," said
Mr. Stoute, consulting his watch. "You must decide at once what you
intend to do."

"What shall I do?" asked Mr. Hamblin, who had become fully conscious
that he had involved himself in another "unpleasantness," and that the
powers that be, unmindful of his claims, would probably decide against
him.

"Shall we hear the recitations?