"What do you mean by that, sir?" cried Sir James. "Tell me what you
mean?"

The boy shook his head once more, and then the line disappeared, the
curves came back, and he silently shaped the words as before.

"Do you want to aggravate me, sir? Such foolery! Speak out, sir, at
once."

Mark drew back, walked sharply across the room and half opened the door,
before turning to face his father again, the others gazing at him in
wonder.

"What's come to him, doctor?" cried Sir James. "Here, Mark, I command
you, sir: speak out!"

"If you don't come with us, father," said the boy, slowly and
deliberately--"oh, Dean, I am sorry for you--there will be no
expedition, for I won't go."

There was a moment or two's silence, and then Sir James raged out,
"Well, of all the daring--here, doctor, is this the result of your moral
teaching of my boys? Now, sir, frankly, what am I to do in a case like
this?"

The doctor was silent for a moment or two. Then after drawing a deep
breath he turned to Sir James.

"You want my advice, sir, as frankly as I can give it, between man and
man?"

"Of course I do, sir," snapped out Sir James.

"Well, sir, my advice is this. Dismiss us now."

"What for--to conspire against me?"

"No, sir," said the doctor, rising; "to give you time to calmly and
dispassionately weigh this matter over--I even go so far as to say, to
sleep on it."

"No, I can decide now. You don't want me with you."

It is a curious fact, but three voices at the same moment gave vent to
the same ejaculation, which blended together and formed one big round
"O!"

"I should be an encumbrance upon you."

"You would be a great help and counsel to me, Sir James, and of course
take all the responsibility off my shoulders."

"Humph! Yes. Well, that's true," said Sir James. "But you, Dean--now,
sir, be honest--I want the simple truth."

"I always do tell the truth, uncle," said the boy, rather surlily; "at
least, I always try to."

"Then let's have it out now, sir, without a shadow of a doubt. Let
there be no trying. Wouldn't you rather that I stayed at home?"

"No, uncle," came sharply, and almost before the question was uttered.

"Now you, Mark," cried Sir James.

There was silence again for what seemed a minute, but probably was not
half.

"Well, sir, I'm waiting."

There was another pause, and then as the baronet jerked himself forward
in his chair, gazing at his son fiercely as if to drag a reply