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."
"Very odd; how reserved some boys are! I declare I was vexed that it
had gone out of his head; though I thought it might be for the best.
You know I was not born to this place. I never dreamt of it till my
poor brother Sam's little boy went off in a fever six years ago, and
we had to settle down here.
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