And sending him in three ships is safer anyway.

On account of wrecks and storms." "I don't like the idea, father.

If I were his father it would be dreadful to have him coming in that--in that--" "On the installment plan," suggested Hawkins, gravely, and proud of being able to help.
"Yes--dreadful to have him coming in that incoherent way.

There would be the strain of suspense upon me all the time.

To have so depressing a thing as a funeral impending, delayed, waiting, unaccomplished--" "Oh, no, my child," said the earl reassuringly, "there would be nothing of that kind; so old a gentleman could not endure a long-drawn suspense like that.