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    I promised and declared I would do the washing up, as well.
    “Good night then, Jack, Tom. Stay up as long as you like. I can see you have much to talk about.”
    We three stood as she departed. Tom stepped to her, bestowed a kiss on her cheek, and whispered a few words to her just as she made her exit from the dining room.
    Resuming our places, we sat in silence for many moments until at last Tom Durham spoke up.
    “I fear I was the cause of that,” said he.
    “Your story?” ventured Sir John.” I thought it a good one.”
    “Oh, the story, I suppose—yet even more, my refusal to listen to her pleas for me to remain here ashore. I mean to ship out again on the A()i’entiire. She thinks she can hold me here by persuasion, and that you, Sir John, will make it right with the Navy. Aline was a seven-year enlistment—and lucky I was to get it. I haven’t thanked you properly for that — I never can. But obligation or no, I would return to the sea. It is the life for me.”
    “Your mother spoke to me of this whilst you and Jeremy went forth after the doctor.”
    “You understand my feelings perhaps better than she.”
    “Oh, I understand very well, ” said Sir John.
    “Your own time at sea, of course,” said Tom.
    “Indeed,” said the magistrate.” Those years were happiest in my memory. But tell me, what has happened to that other lad who shipped out with you on the Adventure ? I believe his name was Jonah Falkirk.”
    “It was, yes. I regret to say he fell in the very battle with the Angrians I described. He caught a ball in the throat. Though I was separated from him in the fight, I’m told he comported himself well.” Tom hesitated but a moment; then he added, “I thought it best not to include that in my account with my mother present.”
    “You thought well,” said Sir John.” But hear me, Tom Durham, I’ve a plan to put before you. First, let me ask you, did you return a landsman?”
    “No sir, I was made ordinary seaman shortly after the battle with the grabs. Toward the end, with much of our crew Lascars, I was made a foretopman.”
    “A foretopman, is it? Well, indeed! I think that excellent, Tom. I commend your progress. And it is specifically that I wished to address—your progress. I may have it in my power to beg for you an appointment as midshipman. What would you say to that, lad?”
    Tom Durham was quite overwhelmed.” I know not what to say,” he blurted, then fell silent as he considered the matter.
    “You would then,” said Sir John, “have an officer’s career ahead of you. You would have the advantage of your age, your maturity, and your experience as a seaman on a frigate. But I would not seek tor you a midshipman’s berth until I were to hear from you that you wanted it.”
    “Oh, sir, I want it certain sure, ” said Tom Durham.” You may have no doubt of that. My only concern is this: If indeed you were to win for me a midshipman’s berth, I would not wish to return as such to HM.S. Adventure .”
    “Tom, I understand entirely, and I think your attitude commendable. You would not want to be in a position of modest command above your former mates belowdecks —indeed commendable.”
    “But do you think they would take me as a midshipman with my — with my history?”
    “That is my problem, is it not? Remember, I said I may have it in my power. I make no promises. I had to know, first, however, if you would accept such a boon if it were offered you.”
    “I would, sir, with great thanks.”
    “Then with that step done, I may proceed. I believe, by the by, that it would ease your mother’s mind considerable if you were a midshipman. She no doubt has the mistaken notion that an officer —even the most junior of officers —is safer aboardship and in particular in battle than are ordinary members of the crew.”
    Tom Durham smiled then with knowledge I did not have —and indeed would never have.” No doubt she does, Sir John.”
    “It would ease her mind