"I am sorry for it," answered Somers, with unaffected earnestness. "Sorry, you wretch?" Somers laughed. "There's another slip. I have done my best to reform my life. I am afraid I shall never succeed. Now, Prodigy--" Somers laughed again. "Again!" exclaimed Kate. "I wish to ask one favor of you, Miss Portington." "It would afford me more pleasure to grant it, than it does you to ask it. Name it." "That you will never call me Prodigy again." "I had firmly resolved before you came never to do it," laughed she. "Well, I only asked it in order to help along your good resolutions." "Then you are making fun of me?" "Like yourself, I am very serious." "But I am in earnest, Mr. Somers; I mean to reform. Now, father and mother will be very glad to see you, Mr. Somers." "Your father?" "He was temporarily relieved to attend a court martial. He is going away again to-morrow." "You have other visitors?" "Only Lieutenant Pillgrim." "I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance." "He is a Virginian, I believe; at any rate he is from the South, and has just been restored to his rank in the navy." Kate led the way into the parlor, where he was first welcomed by her mother. "Mr. Somers, I am glad to see you, and to congratulate you on your promotion," said the commodore, as he grasped the hand of the young officer. "Thank you, sir," replied Somers. "The only ungratified wish I had was that I might be appointed to your ship." "My ship!" "I should have been glad to serve under so able and distinguished a commander." "I wouldn't have you in my ship," promptly returned the commodore, shaking his head energetically. Somers looked abashed, and Kate wore a troubled expression. "I should endeavor to do my duty," he added. "I have no doubt of it, but I wouldn't have you in my ship." "Your remark is not very complimentary," said Somers, his face beginning to flush with indignation at what seemed to be an assault upon his professional character. "It is the most complimentary thing I could say to you. And I mean what I say: I wouldn't have you in my ship." "Why not, father?" demanded Kate. "Because I like the young dog, and because I believe in discipline. I never indulge in partiality on board my ship, and it is better to keep out of temptation. I am under obligations to you, Mr. Somers; I am happy to acknowledge them, but they must not come between me and duty. Mr. Somers, Lieutenant Pillgrim," continued Commodore Portington, turning to the visitor. Somers looked at the officer thus indicated, and as his eyes rested upon him, he started back with a momentary astonishment, for the face had a strange look of familiarity to him. "Mr. Somers, I am happy to meet and to know you. Your name and reputation are already familiar to me." "I am glad to know you, sir," replied Somers, with some confusion. "Your face looks so familiar to me, that I think we must have met before."