FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128  
129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   >>   >|  
be displayed in a good cause. "Silence, if you please," said Paul, moved by the applause of the students. Silence came instantly, for the captain was a "little god" just then, and had more influence over the ship's company at that moment than ever before. It is true they regretted the fate of poor McDougal, but there was not one of them who did not believe that the captain was right in his estimate of the culprit's guilt. "I wish to ask a favor of you," continued Paul, in a rather embarrassed tone. A clapping of hands assured him that he could ask no favor that would not be unanimously granted. "Whatever happens, I wish you to make no disturbance, and no demonstrations of approval or dissent. Will you heed my request?" "We will!" shouted the students with one voice. "Thank you," replied Paul, who did not believe in a display of force before it was necessary. The boys commenced work upon their lessons, and the captain, passing through the steerage, went on deck to avoid the necessity of meeting Mr. Hamblin, whose step he heard in the passage-way leading from the cabin. As Paul disappeared, the obnoxious _savant_ entered the steerage. One of the students forward hissed, but his companions silenced him instantly; and it is probable, if the captain had not spoken to them, Mr. Hamblin would have been greeted with a general demonstration of disapprobation. The learned gentleman was evidently much embarrassed; but he was very quiet and subdued in his manner. He was less impatient and snappish than usual; said nothing about "stupidity" and "blundering," as was his habit. He seemed to be abstracted, as well he might; but while he displayed less enthusiasm in his teaching, he was infinitely more gentlemanly and kind. As he gave no occasion for any trouble, none came. Though the captain did not appear at any recitation conducted by him, the professor made no comment upon the circumstance. Paul was troubled, but he had made up his mind what to do. Either Mr. Hamblin must leave the Josephine, or he would respectfully ask to be relieved from the command of her. It was simply impossible to live with such a porcupine on board. It was a mystery to him that Mr. Lowington had procured the services of such an unsuitable instructor; but the fact was, that he had been engaged by the principal's agent on the strength of his classical attainments, rather than his fitness for the place. He had been so unpopular as a tuto
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128  
129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
captain
 

Hamblin

 

students

 

instantly

 

steerage

 

embarrassed

 
displayed
 
Silence
 

teaching

 
abstracted

infinitely

 

enthusiasm

 
occasion
 

gentlemanly

 

snappish

 

gentleman

 

evidently

 

learned

 
disapprobation
 
greeted

general

 

demonstration

 
subdued
 
stupidity
 

blundering

 

manner

 

impatient

 
relieved
 

services

 

unsuitable


instructor

 

procured

 

Lowington

 

porcupine

 
mystery
 

engaged

 
unpopular
 

fitness

 
attainments
 

principal


strength

 

classical

 

impossible

 
simply
 

comment

 

circumstance

 

troubled

 

professor

 

conducted

 
Though