r maybe before that. If you saw Mary,
sir, I'm sure you wouldn't be offended at my wishing to go down there
rather than go up to big London with you, sir. But you'll give, I hope,
my dutiful respect to your mother, sir, and the young ladies, and tell
them it's not for want of love and duty to them that I don't come."

"I am sure that they will think everything right of you, Freeborn,"
answered the young baronet, struck by True Blue's truthful frankness.
"But instead of being a boatswain, why not aim at being placed, as I
long ago wished, on the quarterdeck? Surely it would please your Mary
more, and I daresay my friends would accomplish it for you."

"Thank you, Sir Henry--thank you. I've thought the matter over scores
of times, and never thought differently," answered True Blue with a
thoughtful look. "And do you know, sir, I'm sure that Mary wouldn't
love me a bit the more because I was a Captain, than she does now, or
than she will when I am a bo'sun. She isn't a lady, and doesn't set up
for a lady; and why should she? I couldn't love her a bit the more than
I now do if she did. You see, Sir Henry, she's a right true honest good
girl, and what more can a man like me want in the world to make him
happy?"

"You are right, Freeborn--you are right!" exclaimed the young baronet,
springing up and taking his friend's hand; "and I wish you every
happiness your Mary can give you. Remember, too, if I am in England,
invite me to your wedding, and I'll do my utmost to come to it. I have
not often been at a wedding, and never thought of marrying; but I am
very sure that somehow or other you will set me on the right course, by
the pleasure I shall experience on that occasion."

The next day, while Sir Henry went up to London, True Blue started off
by himself to Emsworth, his godfather having too much to do in refitting
the ship to be spared away from her. He had not given notice that he
was coming, and the cry of pleasure with which he was received when his
smiling countenance appeared at Peter Ogle's cottage door showed him
that he might depend on a hearty welcome.

A fair girl, with the sweetest of faces, rose from her seat, and,
running towards him, put out both her hands, and did not seem
overwhelmed with astonishment when he threw an arm round her waist and
kissed her heartily.

"Hillo, Master True Blue, are those the manners you have learned at
sea?" exclaimed Mrs Ogle, not very angrily, though.

"Yes, mot