Advise him, replied Mrs Roby, promptly, to give all the money to Dr Lawrence, and get Dr Lawrence to marry Miss Gray, and so theyll both get the whole of it.
A beaming smile crossed the Captains visage.
Not a bad notion, mother; but what if Dr Lawrence, after gettin the money, didnt want to marry Miss Gray?
Get him to marry her first and give the money afterwards, returned Mrs Roby.
Ay, that might do, replied the Captain, nodding slowly, only it may be that a man without means may hesitate about marryin a girl without means, especially if he didnt want her, and she didnt want him. I dont quite see how to get over all these difficulties.
Theres only one way of getting over them, said Mrs Roby, and that is, by bringin the young people together, and givin em a chance to fall in love.
True, true, mother, but, so far as I know, Dr Lawrence dont know the family. We couldnt, said the Captain, looking round the room, dubiously, ask em to take a quiet cup of tea here with useh? You might ask Dr Lawrence, as your medical man, and I might ask Miss Emma, as an old friend of her uncle, quite in an off-hand way, you know, as if by chance. Theyd never see through the dodge, and would fall in love at once, perhapseh?
Captain Wopper said all this in a dubious tone, looking at the defiant kettle the while, as if propitiating its favourable reception of the idea, but it continued defiant, and hissed uncompromisingly, while its mistress laughed outright.
Youre not much of a match-maker, I see, she said, on recovering composure. No, Captain, it wouldnt do to ask em here to tea.
Well, well, said the Captain, rising, well let match-makin alone for the present. Its like tryin to beat to windard against a cyclone. The best way is to square the yards, furl the sails, and scud under bare poles till its over. Its blowin too hard just now for me to make headway, so Ill wear ship and scud.
In pursuance of this resolve, Captain Wopper put on his wide-awake, locked up his mother, and went off to dine at the west end.
Chapter Five.
In which Several Important Matters are arranged, and Gillie White undergoes some Remarkable and hitherto Unknown Experiences
It is not necessary to inflict on the reader Mrs Stoutleys dinner in detail; suffice it to say, that Captain Wopper conducted himself, on the whole, much more creditably than his hostess had anticipated, and made himself so entertaining, especially to Lewis, that that young gentleman invited him to accompany the family to Switzerland, much to the amusement of his cousin Emma and the horror of his mother, who, although she enjoyed a private visit of the Captain, did not relish the thought of his becoming a travelling companion of the family. She pretended not to hear the invitation given, but when Lewis, knowing full well the state of her mind, pressed the invitation, she shook her head at him covertly and frowned. This by-play her son pretended not to see, and continued his entreaties, the Captain not having replied.
Now, do come with us, Captain Wopper, he said; it will be such fun, and we should all enjoy you so muchwouldnt we, Emma? (Yes, indeed, from Emma); and it would just be suited to your tastes and habits, for the fine, fresh air of the mountains bears a wonderful resemblance to that of the sea. Youve been accustomed no doubt to climb up the shrouds to the crosstrees; well, in Switzerland, you may climb up the hills to any sort of trees you like, and get shrouded in mist, or tumble over a precipice and get put into your shroud altogether; and
Really, Lewie, you ought to be ashamed of making such bad puns, interrupted his mother. Doubtless it would be very agreeable to have Captain Wopper with us, but I am quite sure it would be anything but pleasant for him to travel through such a wild country with such a wild goose as you for a companion.
You have modestly forgotten yourself and Emma, said Lewis; but come, let the Captain answer for himself. You know, mother, it has been your wish, if not your intention, to get a companion for me on this tripa fellow older than myselfa sort of travelling tutor, who could teach me something of the geology and botany of the country as we went along. Well, the Captain is older than me, I think, which is one of the requisites, and he could teach me astronomy, no doubt, and show me how to box the compass; in return for which, I could show him how to box an adversarys nose, as practised by the best authorities of the ring. As to geology and botany, I know a little of these sciences already, and could impart my knowledge to the Captain, which would have the effect of fixing it more firmly in my own memory; and every one knows that it is of far greater importance to lay a good, solid groundwork of education, than to build a showy, superficial structure, on a bad foundation. Come, then, Captain, you see your advantages. This is the last time of asking. If you dont speak now, henceforth and for ever hold your tongue.
Well, my lad, said the Captain, with much gravity, Ive turned the thing over in my mind, and since Mrs Stoutley is so good as to say it would be agreeable to her, I think Ill accept your invitation!
Bravo! Captain, youre a true blue; come, have another glass of wine on the strength of it.
No wine, thank ee, said the Captain, placing his hand over his glass, Ive had my beer; and I make it a rule never to mix my liquor. Excuse me, maam, he continued, addressing his hostess, your son made mention of a tootera travellin tooter; may I ask if youve provided yourself with one yet!
Not yet, answered Mrs Stoutley, feeling, but not looking, a little surprised at the question, I have no young friend at present quite suited for the position, and at short notice it is not easy to find a youth of talent willing to go, and on whom one can depend. Can you recommend one?
Mrs Stoutley accompanied the question with a smile, for she put it in jest. She was, therefore, not a little surprised when the Captain said promptly that he couldthat he knew a young mana doctorwho was just the very ticket (these were his exact words), a regular clipper, with everything about him trim, taut, and ship-shape, who would suit every member of the family to a tee!
A hearty laugh from every member of the family greeted the Captains enthusiastic recommendation, and Emma exclaimed that he must be a most charming youth, while Lewis pulled out pencil and note-book to take down his name and address.
You are a most valuable friend at this crisis in our affairs, said Lewis, Ill make mother write to him immediately.
But have a care, said the Captain, that you never mention who it was that recommended him. Im not sure that he would regard it as a compliment. You must promise me that.
I promise, said Lewis, and whatever I promise mother will fulfil, so make your mind easy on that head. Now, mother, I shouldnt wonder if Captain Wopper could provide you with that other little inexpensive luxury you mentioned this morning. Dyou think you could recommend a page?
Whats a page, lad?
What! have you never heard of a pagea page in buttons? asked Lewis in surprise.
Never, replied the Captain, shaking his head.
Why, a page is a small boy, usually clad in blue tights, to make him look as like a spider as possible, with three rows of brass buttons up the front of his jackettwo of the rows being merely ornamental, and going over his shoulders. He usually wears a mans hat for the sake of congruity, and is invariably as full of mischief as an egg is of meat. Can you find such an article?