"Thank you, mother, thank you!" cried Tom, again throwing his arms round
her neck, when something seemed to be choking him, and he could say no
more.

"He has the right stuff in him, never fear, never fear, Lady Rogers,"
said the Admiral, nodding his head approvingly behind Tom's back; "he'll
do."

The rest of the evening was spent in discussing several important points
connected with Tom's outfit, Jack being called in to the consultation.
Admiral Triton confessed that, not expecting a refusal, he had already
made all arrangements at the Admiralty for Tom to join the _Plantagenet_
with Jack; and Tom, his ardent hopes realised, went to bed to dream of
his dashing frigate, of Howe, Nelson, and Collingwood, of the countless
adventures in which he expected to engage, and of the heroic exploits he
had determined to perform.

Tom got up the next morning, feeling two inches taller, and walked about
all day with the full consciousness that he was no longer a schoolboy,
but a midshipman in the Royal Navy, with the right to demand due respect
from all civilians; indeed the female portion of the establishment, with
whom he was a monstrous favourite, were perfectly ready to humour him to
his heart's content. He had been the last baby in the family, and it
was only a wonder that he had escaped being utterly spoiled. His
manners did not escape the notice of the Admiral, who, highly amused,
called him to take a turn in the grounds.

"A little advice from an old salt, who has seen no small amount of
service, will do you no harm, my boy," he began, after they had walked
some way, talking of various matters. "You cannot steer a straight
course, either on shore or afloat, without a definite object to guide
you. Let yours be Duty. Never mind how disagreeable or how arduous or
difficult it may seem, do that which you believe you ought to do,
strictly obey the orders you receive, never neglect an opportunity of
doing the right thing or of gaining professional knowledge, and never be
tempted to do the wrong one. Every officer, remember, and man, too,
from the commander-in-chief downwards, is bound to act to the best of
his abilities for the good of the service. Whatever you are ordered to
do, or however you may be treated by those above you, believe that they
are actuated by that principle. If you remember that whatever you may
be doomed to bear is for the good of the service, you will be able to
endure an immense amount of what y