The Captain wanted to talk this over with her, and hear her account of it once more. She gave it fully, thinking he ought to know exactly how his children had acted in the matter, and wishing to explain where she thought she had made mistakes. When she had finished, he said, “Thank you,” and considered a little while; then said, “A thing like this brings out a great deal of character; and a new eye sometimes sees more what is in a child than those that bred him up.” “It has been a touchstone, indeed,” she answered. “Poor Hal!” he said sadly; then resumed, “I’ve said nothing of it yet to the boys—but Admiral Penrose has promised to let me take out one with me. I had thought most of Hal; he seemed to me a smarter fellow, more likely to make his way than his brother; but this makes me doubt whether there can be stuff enough in him. I might not be able to look after him, nor do I know what his messmates may be; and I should not choose to risk it, except with a boy I could thoroughly trust.” “Those young Grevilles seem to me Hal’s bane and temptation.” “Ay, ay; but if a boy is of the sort, he’ll find someone to be his bane, wherever he goes. I’ll have no more of the Grevilles though. If he should not go with me, my brother John would take him into his house, and keep a sharp look out after him. Just tell me, if you have no objection, how the boy strikes you. Most people think him the most taking of the lot.” “So he is,” said Christabel thoughtfully; “he has more ease and readiness, and he is affectionate and warm-hearted; but then he is a great talker, and fond of boasting.” “Exactly. I told him that was the very way he learnt falsehood.” “I am afraid, too,” she was obliged to add, “that his resolutions run away in talk. He has not much perseverance; and he is easily led.” “Well, I believe you are right; but then what’s to be done? I can hardly afford to lose this chance; but Sam was always backward; and I doubt his even caring to go to sea.” “Oh! Captain Merrifield!” “What! has he given you reason to think that he does?” She told him how she had found Sam struggling with his longing for the sea and his father; and how patiently the boy had resigned himself to see his brother put before him, and himself condemned for being too dull and slow. “Did I say so? I suppose he had put me past my patience with blundering over his lessons. I never meant to make any decision; but I did not think he wished it.” “He said it had been his desire from the time he could remember, especially when he felt the want of you during your last voyage.”