“I have been thinking about your going into the navy, John, ever since I waked up this morning.” “Have you? Well, what do you think about it, mother?” replied John. “I have come to the conclusion that you had better go, if you want to.” “Of course, I want to go; but I don’t want to go if you are not willing. I shouldn’t have a moment’s comfort if I thought you were worrying about me all the time.” “I don’t think I should worry any more if you were gone than I have for the last two or three months.” “Well, I didn’t mean to drive you into letting me go.” “You haven’t. I’ve made up my mind that you will be just as well off in the navy as you will be at home. You always was a good boy; and I expect you will behave yourself wherever you go.” “I always mean to do that, mother. A fellow can’t be a very bad boy in the navy, they are so strict.” So it was decided that John should go into the navy; and there wasn’t half so much friction about the matter as he thought there would be when the final action should come. His mother seemed to be entirely satisfied to have him go; and she was more cheerful for the few days following the decision than she had been before. All doubt and anxiety on the subject were removed, and she was disposed to look on the bright side of the case. When Lieutenant Bankhead appeared, there was no occasion for the array of excellent and convincing arguments which he had provided to overcome the mother’s repugnance to the proposed step. “Is your son at home, madam?” said he, after the introductory remarks were concluded. “Yes, sir: he is out in the garden. I have sent Jenny after him, and he will be here in a few moments.” “I suppose you know what kind of a time we had upon the water the other night,” continued the visitor. “Yes, sir: John told me all about it.” “And, of course, he told you how deeply I am indebted to him for the service he rendered me?” “He didn’t say much about that,” replied Mrs. Somers, who did not know but that he might think her son had criticised the conduct of his passenger on that eventful night. “He is a brave little fellow, and I owe him a debt I shall never be able to repay.” “Oh, well! John don’t mind that.” “But I mind it; and I should have been here before to repeat my thanks, if the death of my father had not prevented.” “John thought ever so much of you; and I rather think he is much obliged to you for falling overboard, and giving him the chance to pull you into the boat. But you are not the first man that John has pulled out of the water,” added the mother proudly. “I am very glad to have obliged him, though it is not every young man whom I should be willing to oblige in that manner. But, madam, your son wishes to go into the navy.” “Yes, sir; he has been wanting to go ever since the war broke out: but I couldn’t make up my mind to let him go before; and John isn’t a boy that would go without his mother’s leave.” “Good boys always love and respect their mothers.”