ight. If I don't make it I may starve, as you are always
saying that writers do. But, starve or not, I shan't ask YOU to take
care of me."

"I've taken care of you for three years or so."

"Yes. But you did it because--because--Well, I don't know why you did,
exactly, but you won't have to do it any longer. I'm through."

The captain still stared steadily, and what he saw in the dark eyes
which flashed defiance back at him seemed to trouble him a little. His
tugs at his beard became more strenuous.

"Humph!" he muttered. "Humph! . . . Well, Al, of course I can't make you
stay by main force. Perhaps I could--you ain't of age yet--but I shan't.
And you want to quit the ship altogether, do you?"

"If you mean this office--yes, I do."

"I see, I see. Want to quit South Harniss and your grandmother--and
Rachel--and Labe--and Helen--and all the rest of 'em?"

"Not particularly. But I shall have to, of course."

"Yes. . . . Um-hm. . . . Yes. Have you thought how your grandmother's
liable to feel when she hears you are goin' to clear out and leave her?"

Albert had not thought in that way, but he did now. His tone was a
trifle less combative as he answered.

"She'll be sorry at first, I suppose," he said, "but she'll get over
it."

"Um-hm. Maybe she will. You can get over 'most anything in time--'MOST
anything. Well, and how about me? How do you think I'll feel?"

Albert's chin lifted. "You!" he exclaimed. "Why, you'll be mighty glad
of it."

Captain Zelotes picked up the pencil stump and twirled it in his
fingers. "Shall I?" he asked. "You think I will, do you?"

"Of course you will. You don't like me, and never did."

"So I've heard you say. Well, boy, don't you cal'late I like you at
least as much as you like me?"

"No. What do you mean? I like you well enough. That is, I should if
you gave me half a chance. But you don't do it. You hate me because my
father--"

The captain interrupted. His big palm struck the desk.

"DON'T say that again!" he commanded. "Look here, if I hated you do you
suppose I'd be talkin' to you like this? If I hated you do you cal'late
I'd argue when you gave me notice? Not by a jugful! No man ever came to
me and said he was goin' to quit and had me beg him to stay. If we was
at sea he stayed until we made port; then he WENT, and he didn't hang
around waitin' for a boat to take him ashore neither. I don't hate you,
son. I'd ask nothin' better than a chance to like you, but you won