"That hurt you, because you thought it would vex the friend from the Bahamas, the friend who steals.

And yet you like him a little, is it not ?" "Oh!" cried John, looking up with all his heart in his blue eyes; and no other word was needed.
"See, then!" the Skipper went on, still holding the boy's hand; "it is that you are right, Colorado, oh, very right, my son! and I, who am old, but old enough to be twice to you a father, I thought not of this.

Yes, you must tell Sir Scraper, if--if I do not tell him first." He was silent a moment, thinking; and then continued, speaking slowly, choosing his words with care: "Is it that you think, Colorado, it would be wrong to wait a little before you tell Sir Scraper--if I said, till to-morrow?
If I ask you to wait, and then, if I have not told him, you shall tell him,--what do you say of that, my son ?" John looked helplessly around, his blue eyes growing big and wistful again.

"If--if he should ask me!" he said.

"I am sure you know all about it, and that it is all right for you, but if he should ask me--you see--I--I should have to answer him, shouldn't I ?" "You would have to answer him!" the Skipper repeated, frowning thoughtfully.