have him!"

Her father gave her a merry glance.

"They say some women really like to hear a man use strong
expressions--now, it can't be you are like that--or is it that you want
somebody to reform, eh? However, if you can stand it I can--sailors
have to get used to such things. I can't say I've ever found it really
necessary to swear though, as some of them maintain. I can do a
considerable amount of ordering in the worst storm going, and remember
to rule my tongue as well as my crew. In fact, I won't have anything
of the kind aboard, so, my dear, if your bird begins by breaking my
rules, what then?"

"I shall teach him better. Parrots say what they are taught, and if he
does not hear it, he won't talk it."

"Well, then, if you'll take him in hand--come on, Beppo, we must be
moving," and the little procession began its march.

Faith drew a long breath of relief.

"Well," she remarked, with a dainty lifting of the brows that always
made the captain think of his girl-wife, so long lost to him, "I'm
decidedly grateful that my cat cannot talk. He won't be able to
disgrace us, at least."

CHAPTER III.

NEW SURROUNDINGS.

"Oh, Hope, I wish they wouldn't! Doesn't it seem too hard? Those poor
mothers and sisters--"

"And sweethearts," added Hope under her breath, watching with great
eyes. "I don't mind so much those that make so much noise about it,
like that big woman by the post, but this little group over here; they
do feel awfully, and my heart aches for them."

The girls were standing on the deck of the "International," watching
the last adieux on shore. A small squad of British soldiery were about
embarking, and the home friends were gathered on the wharf, waiting for
a last glimpse of their beloved boys. The "big woman" Hope mentioned
had made such violent demonstrations, insisting upon following her
red-cheeked son about and weeping on his shoulder, that he had fled
before the laughter of his brothers-in-arms, and hidden in some nook on
board, leaving her to find solace in a vile-looking black pipe, which
she was just lighting with an equanimity that did not suggest an
entirely heart-broken condition. The group mentioned consisting of the
intelligent-looking young officer in charge of the squad, and three
women, who were evidently mother, sister, and friend.

They visited in low tones till the last minute, but at the final
separation the poor mother turned from her red-coat's embrace,