Harry entered with a resolute manner.

"Margaret, I wanted to speak to you," said he, spreading himself out, with an elbow on each arm of the chair.

"I want you to speak to papa about my going to sea.

It is high time to see about it--I shall be thirteen on the fourth of May." "And you mean it seriously, Harry ?" "Yes, of course I do, really and truly; and if it is to come to pass, it is time to take measures.

Don't you see, Margaret ?" "It is time, as you say," answered Margaret reflectingly, and sadly surveying the bright boy, rosy cheeked, round faced, and blue eyed, with the childish gladsomeness of countenance, that made it strange that his lot in life should be already in the balance.
"I know what you will all tell me, that it is a hard life, but I must get my own living some way or other, and I should like that way the best," said he earnestly.
"Should you like to be always far from home ?" "I should come home sometimes, and bring such presents to Mary, and baby, and all of you; and I don't know what else to be, Margaret.