Come, come, the doctor's
right. Put away the books, and help me to prepare for our cruise."

"Then you really mean for us to go, father?" said the lad.

"Yes; I have quite made up my mind." Jack sighed like a girl.

"But you will let me take a few boxes of books, father?"

"A few natural history works of reference, nothing more. Bah! don't be
so narrow-minded, boy. We shall be where Nature's own grand library is
always open before us to read. We shall want no books. Come, pluck up,
my lad; all this means ill health. Instow is perfectly right, and the
sooner we begin our preparations the better."

"Father!" cried the boy passionately, "it will kill me."

"No," said Sir John, taking the boy's hand, and laying his own right
affectionately upon his shoulder; "if I thought it would hurt you I
would not stir a step; but I feel that it is to bring you back to a
healthy life."

Jack sighed again, and shook his head.

"Ah," he argued to himself, "life and all that is worth living for--all
passing away."

CHAPTER THREE.

IN DOLEFUL DUMP.

"Beg pardon, sir."

Jack raised his head wearily from where it was resting upon his hand by
the fireside, and looked dreamingly at the footman who had entered the
warm library next morning.

"Head ache, sir?" said the man respectfully; and the well-built, fair,
freckled-faced, but good-looking fellow gazed commiseratingly at his
young master.

"My head ache, Edward? Yes, sadly, sadly."

"Begging your pardon, sir; it's because you sit over the fire too much."

"What!" cried Jack angrily; "have you got that silly idea in your head
too? How dare you!"

"Beg pardon, sir. Very sorry, sir. Don't be angry with me, sir. You
see I don't know any better."

"Then it's time you did."

"So it is, Master Jack, so it is; and I want to know better, if you'll
help me."

"How can I help you?" said Jack, staring at the man.

"Well, you see, sir, it's like this: I don't get no chance to improve my
mind. Up at six o'clock--No," cried the man emphatically, "I will speak
the honest truth if I die for it! It ain't much before seven when I
begin work, sir, for you see I have such a stiff beard, and it does grow
so, I'm obliged to shave reg'lar. Well, say quarter to seven I begin,
and it's boots and shoes. When they're done it's hard work to get my
knives done before breakfast. Then there's the breakfast cloth to lay,
and the toast to make, and after breakfast master's and