He had not the heart to go with that merry
throng; for he did not know whether his father were not displeased
with him, and he therefore thought he must be to blame.
People who, like Sam, rather cultivate the habit of gruffness and
reserve, and prefer to be short and rude, become so utterly unable to
express what they mean, that on great occasions they are
misunderstood, and give pain by supposed ingratitude and dislike,
even when they feel most warmly. Captain Merrifield could only judge
from looks and words; and even when Sam had been satisfied about
Henry, he had shown so little alacrity or satisfaction, as really to
leave a doubt whether he were not unwillingly yielding to his
father's wishes; which would have been a mistaken act, as the Captain
thought no one ought to be a sailor unless with a very strong desire
that way. Thus Sam really perplexed and distressed his father, when
he least intended it; and unable to understand what was the matter,
yet feeling heavy and sad, he turned aside from the rest, and, by way
of the quietest place he could find, climbed up a tall pear-tree, to
the very highest branch he could reach.
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