"I am really not very hungry"-- though truth to tell he well might have been, for the food on the brig had left much to be desired even to one who had been a sailorman himself.
"It is our usual time," said Mrs.Hamon, "and it is all ready.

Will you please to sit there." At the sound of the chairs a boy of fourteen came quietly in and slipped into his seat.
His sister had gone off with a portion on a plate through the open door.
Gard was surprised to find himself hoping it was not her custom to take her meals in private, and was relieved when she came back presently without the plate and sat down by her brother.
"Ah, you, Bernel, as soon as you've done your supper run over and tell Mr.Le Pelley that his white stallion is on our common, and he'd better send for him." "I'll ride him home," said the boy exultingly.
"No you won't, Bern," said his sister quickly.

"He's not safe.

You know what an awkward beast he is at times, and you could never get him across the Coupee." "Pooh! I'd ride him across any day." "Promise me you won't," she said, with a hand on his arm.
"Oh, well, if you say so," he grumbled.

"I could manage him all right though." Just then the doorway darkened and two young men entered, and threw their caps on the green bed, and sat down with an awkward nod of greeting to the company in general.
"My son Tom," said Mr.Hamon, and Tom jerked another awkward nod towards the stranger.