and trousers. I know Sir Henry won't
be angry with you. I'll set it all right. There's a good chap, now--do
as I ask you."

John still hesitated.

"Very well," continued True Blue, "if you don't, I'll just jump into bed
again, and there I'll stay. The only clothes I'll put on are my own.
They were brand new only last week, and I've not done with them."

John, seeing that the young sailor was in earnest, went and brought back
his clothes. True Blue was soon dressed, and considerable
disappointment was expressed on the countenances of the ladies as they
entered the breakfast-room, when, instead of the gay-looking midshipman
they expected to see, they found him in his seaman's dress. He looked
up frankly, and not in the slightest degree abashed.

"My lady," he said, "I know what you and Sir Henry intended for me, and
there isn't a part of my heart that doesn't thank you; but d'ye see, my
lady, I was born a true sailor, and a true sailor I wish to be. I have
old friends--I can't leave them. I know what I'm fitted for, and I
shouldn't be happy in a midshipman's berth. I know, too, that it was
all done in great kindness; but it's a thousand limes more than I
deserve. I shall always love you, my lady, and the young ladies, and
Sir Henry; and if ever he gets a ship, it will be my pride to be with
him and to be his coxswain. There's only one favour more I have to
ask--it is that Sir Henry will set to rights the order about my having a
midshipman's rating aboard the _Ruby_. It's a great favour, I'll allow;
but it's one I don't deserve and don't want. I've made up my mind about
it, and, my lady, you will let me be as I was--I was very happy, and
shall not be happier as an officer."

"I think very likely not," said Lady Elmore, taking his hand. "But,
Freeborn, we are all anxious to show our gratitude to you. Can you
point out how it may best be done?"

"That's it, my lady!" exclaimed True Blue vehemently. "I have done
nothing to speak of, and I do not wish for anything. Let me just think
about you all, and how kind you've been to me, and that's all I want.
If I serve with Sir Henry, I'll always be by his side, and I'll do my
best to keep the Frenchmen's cutlasses off his head."

"Thanks, thanks, my boy. Your love for my son makes me take a double
interest in you," said Lady Elmore warmly; and then she added, "still I
wish that you would allow us somewhat to lighten the load of obligation
we owe you."

A