but I'll do it this once. What is it?"

"Suppose, sir--"

"Oh, hang your supposes; let's have facts!"

"Suppose, sir," continued Steve, watching the doctor intently the while,
"you were a boy like I am."

"What nonsense! Well, go on, boy."

"And a big rough-headed Scotch lad, after annoying you in all kinds of
ways, hit you in a most insulting manner. What would you do?"

"I'd try and knock his head off!" cried the doctor hotly. "I--that is--
I mean--I don't approve of fighting--I--hang the boy! How stupid of me!
I mean I think I should have complained to the captain, and asked him
to have the fellow flogged."

"Captains on board ships like this can't have the boys flogged," said
Steve drily.

"Punished, then."

"You said what you would do, sir, at first, and then turned it off. I
did the same, and you've been blaming me."

"Well, well; yes, yes, Steve, I did; but let's leave that question
alone, my lad. It's one that has never yet been thoroughly settled on
account of its difficulty. I don't approve of fighting, but there are
times when--that is--you see it's a very awkward question that we had
better leave. I spoke hastily, and I'm afraid that I have done more
harm than good. Come, you'll shake hands with me?"

Steve eagerly held out his.

"That's right," said the doctor, gripping the extended palm. "And
you'll take my advice?"

Steve shook his head.

"I can't yet, sir."

"Steve, my boy, you send quite a chill through me," cried the doctor
angrily. "I'm as cold as if the weather had suddenly changed and a
biting wind were coming off the ice."

"My head's quite hot, sir; but it does feel as if it were cold."

"Of course. Nerves, Steve, nerves; unwonted excitement. Hah! Here's
the captain coming into the cabin. Now's your time."

Steve shook his head.

"You must go now. Here, I'll run and tell him you want to speak to
him."

"No, sir; pray don't."

The door opened, and Captain Marsham came in quickly.

"Come on deck, Handscombe," he said, as he stood at the door putting on
a pea-jacket. "You had better have a coat, for there is a remarkable
change. The wind has turned nearly due north, and I'm afraid we are
going to have a heavy snow-blast. Quick! the change is worth seeing."

He did not even glance at Steve, but turned away, and the doctor
followed, to stop at the door.

"There, go and wash yourself, my lad. It has turned cold, but let's get
this over; we have no t