caution. Captain Salt, indeed, was gradually
working himself into a state of restless irritation. The man in the
stable-yard groomed away at the four horses, one after another,
saddled them, led them back to the stable again, then composed
himself to sleep on the stool outside the stable door, with a straw
in his mouth and his hat-brim well over his eyes. The others still
lounged in the sunshine before the inn door. He could hear the sound
of their voices and occasional laughter, but not the words of their
conversation.

It was about six in the evening when the Captain was struck with an
idea. At first it staggered him a little: then he thought it over
and looked at it from several sides. Each time he reviewed the plan
he got rid of a scruple or two, and by degrees began to like it
exceedingly. His restlessness diminished, and in the end he became
quite still.

Tristram, yawning before the fire, glanced up and found his father's
eyes fixed upon him.

"My company wearies you, dear lad?"

The dear lad disclaimed weariness. But Captain Salt advanced,
sighed, and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, Tristram; let us not deceive ourselves. I have done you a
wrong, for which you must forgive me. I hoped, by delaying your
return and keeping you near me--I hoped that perhaps--" Here he
sighed again, and appeared to struggle with an inward grief.
"Do not make it hard for me by bearing malice!" he implored, breaking
off his explanation.

"I don't quite understand. Are you telling me that you have kept me
here unnecessarily?"

"Alas! my boy--I hoped that your affection for me might grow with
this opportunity, as mine has grown for you."

Tristram thought that to spend a morning in pacing from one window to
another was an odd way of encouraging affection; but he merely
answered:

"My dear father, I have a confession to make."

"A confession?"

"One that will not only explain my eagerness to get home, but also
will, I trust, soothe your disappointment. The fact is, I am in
love."

"Oh! that certainly alters matters. With whom?"

"With Sophia."

"Who is Sophia?"

"She is Captain Runacles' only daughter, and lives on the other side
of our hedge."

"My dear lad, why did you not tell me this? Detain you! No.
You shall fly on the wings of the wind. We will set out this very
afternoon on the swiftest horses this inn can furnish."

Tristram winced. "There are limits even to a lover's zeal," he
mu