entering the house I met
Aunt Deb, who was coming down into the dining-room, by which I knew that
I was not late.

"I am glad to find that you are more punctual than usual, Dick," she
said. "You will soon, I hope, become regular in your habits. Follow
the example of so excellent a man as my cousin, Godfrey Butterfield.
You are pleased with your excellent prospects in his office, I hope?"

To this remark I made no reply, but said, "I thought, Aunt Deb, that Mr
Butterfield was going to speak to you about my wish to go to sea. He
told me that he would do so, and that he would have no difficulty in
getting me on board a ship."

"Fiddle-de-dee about going to sea!" replied Aunt Deb. "My cousin did
speak to me on the subject, and I told him at once that I would never
consent to your doing so, and that I felt sure your father would not do
so either. What! To throw away the brilliant prospects which through
my means have been opened out to you? What! Desert your family and me,
your affectionate aunt, and the kind friend who so generously consents
to become your patron from the regard he has for me? What! Go and run
all the risks of a turbulent ocean, and perhaps lose your life, and
cause sorrow to those who have an affection for you, merely to gratify
an insane fancy? No, Dick--no! I told my cousin Godfrey Butterfield,
at once, that if he had any regard for me he would never encourage you
in so mad a proceeding; and I begged him, as soon as possible, to give
you employment in his office, so as to turn your mind away from the
silly ideas you have entertained."

"I'm not at all obliged to you, Aunt Deb, for what you have done," I
said, my choler rising. "It was no idle fancy in my mind, but my fixed
resolution to become a sailor; and a sailor I'll be, notwithstanding
your opposition."

"Hoity-toity!" exclaimed Aunt Deb, who was not accustomed to be set at
defiance. "You will understand, Dick, that you were placed in my
charge, and must obey my directions; and that I intend you to go into
Mr Butterfield's office, and to work hard there, so that you may do
credit to my recommendation some day, and render support to your family.
In case of your father's death, what would become of you all? I, who
have devoted my life to your family, should have the charge of their
maintenance."

"Sailors are not beggars, and I should very likely make as much money by
going to sea as by any other means."

"Fiddle-de-dee," agai