United States or Germany ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The boy was dumb, his heart flaring. And this was the man the nation worshipped! Nelson turned his eye upon the boy. There was a sardonic droop about his lips. "Mr. Carvell," he said slowly, "I have been a midshipman myself. Is this a joke?" Kit flamed. He had given himself freely for this man, had died a hundred deaths for him for this!
"I beg of you not to jest of me before the lads, father," said Grafton. "God knows there was little jest in what I said," replied Mr. Carvell soberly, "and I care not who hears it. Your own son will one day know you well enough, if he does not now. Do not imagine, because I am old, that I am grown so foolish as to believe that a black sheep can become white save by dye.
After a space he came to the door and called, and took me by the hand, and I went in with him. Though his eyes were wet, he bore himself like a cavalier. "Mother, this is Mr. Richard Carvell heir to Carvel Hall in Maryland, a young gentleman whom I have had the honour to rescue from a slaver." I bowed low, such was my respect for Dame Paul, and she rose and curtseyed.
He had folded his arms and was leaning up against the side, moody as the devil. "For some it makes a change; for others it don't. I'm one of the last sort. It's all stale to me. I live there down, down, down." He yawned with creaking jaws. Nelson stared at him, then turned to the boy. "And may I ask what you're doing here, Mr. Carvell?"
His face was a thought paler than before; his eyes a shade darker. He was bracing himself for a last fight. Something about the boy, his twilight voice, his pallor, those dark and hunted eyes, struck Nelson. He stopped his pacing. "You've nothing to fear, Mr. Carvell," he said less sternly "if your story prove true." "It is true, my lord," replied the boy steadfastly.
"I beg of you not to jest of me before the lads, father," said Grafton. "God knows there was little jest in what I said," replied Mr. Carvell soberly, "and I care not who hears it. Your own son will one day know you well enough, if he does not now. Do not imagine, because I am old, that I am grown so foolish as to believe that a black sheep can become white save by dye.
I've had my bellyful o' Frenchies, Mr. Carvell save it be to fight 'em. An' I tell 'ee 'twould give me the greatest joy in life t' leave loose 'Scolding Sairy' at that there Landais. Th' gal ain't had a match on her this here cruise, an' t' my mind she couldn't be christened better, sir." I left him patting the gun with a tender affection.
Every moment Kit expected to see flames leap from his eyes. Nelson cleared his throat, and continued. "This young gentleman, Mr. Carvell, has been telling me a strange and terrible tale that affects you." He turned his eye full-blaze upon the other. "It is this, Mr. Dark that you have been paid to sell me to the French." The giant was stone. Not a muscle twitched.
"I beg of you not to jest of me before the lads, father," said Grafton. "God knows there was little jest in what I said," replied Mr. Carvell soberly, "and I care not who hears it. Your own son will one day know you well enough, if he does not now. Do not imagine, because I am old, that I am grown so foolish as to believe that a black sheep can become white save by dye.
I've had my bellyful o' Frenchies, Mr. Carvell save it be to fight 'em. An' I tell 'ee 'twould give me the greatest joy in life t' leave loose 'Scolding Sairy' at that there Landais. Th' gal ain't had a match on her this here cruise, an' t' my mind she couldn't be christened better, sir." I left him patting the gun with a tender affection.
Word Of The Day