A sharp retort trembled for a moment on his lips; but he kept back its utterance.

He did not, however, waver a single line from his purpose, but rather felt it growing stronger.
No more was said at this time by either.

Mrs.Howland sought the earliest opportunity to be alone with her son, when she informed him of his father's purpose to send him to sea.

Andrew was somewhat startled by this information, and replied, instantly-- "I don't want to go to sea, mother." "Nor do I wish you to go, Andrew," said Mrs.Howland.

"You are too young to bear the hard usage that would certainly fall to your lot.
But your father is very determined about the matter." "I won't go!" boldly declared the boy.
"Andrew! Andrew! don't speak in that manner," said the mother in a reproving voice.
"I'll run away first!" An indignant flush came into the lad's face as he said this.
Mrs.Howland was both startled and alarmed at this bold and unexpected declaration, and for a time she hardly knew what to say.
At length, in a voice so changed that Andrew looked up, half wonderingly, into her face, she said-- "My son, do you love me ?" Not until the question was repeated did Andrew make any reply.