were afraid of openly breaking out."

Finding that my father was disengaged, I followed him into the study,
and again broached the subject of going to sea.

"Couldn't you take me to Squire Knowsley, and talk the matter over with
him," I said. "You can tell him that 50 pounds a year is a large sum
for you to allow me, and perhaps he may induce Captain Grummit to take
me, although I may not have the usual allowance. I promise to be very
economical, and I would be ready to make any sacrifice rather than not
go afloat."

"Sir Reginald came back yesterday, I find," said my father. "You know,
Dick, I am always anxious to gratify your wishes, and as I do not see
any objection to your proposal, we will set off at once to call on him;
perhaps he will do as you desire. If he does not, it will show him how
anxious you are to go to sea, and he may assist you in some other way."

I was very grateful to my father, and thanked him for agreeing to my
proposal.

"It won't do, however, for you to go in your present untidy condition,"
he remarked; "go and put on your best clothes, and by that time I shall
be ready to set off."

I hurried to my room, and throwing my clothes down on my bed, rigged
myself out in the best I possessed. I also, as may be supposed, put on
dry socks and shoes. It did not occur to me at the time, that the
condition of the clothing I threw off was likely to betray my adventure
of the morning. I went down stairs and set off with my father. We had
a pleasant walk, although the weather was rather hot, and in the course
of about an hour arrived at Leighton Park.

Sir Reginald, who was at home, desired that we should at once be
admitted to his study, or rather justice-room, in which he performed his
magisterial duties. It was a large oak room, the walls adorned with
stags' horns, foxes' brushes, and other trophies of the chase, with a
couple of figures in armour in the corner, holding candelabra in their
hands. On the walls were hung also bows and arrows, halberds, swords,
and pikes, as well as modern weapons, and they were likewise adorned
with several hunting pictures, and some grim portraits of the Squire's
ancestors. On one side was a bookcase, on the shelves of which were a
few standard legal works, with others on sporting subjects, veterinary,
falconry, horses and dogs, and other branches of natural history.

Sir Reginald himself, a worthy gentleman, with slightly grizzled hair
and a ruddy coun