"It is an unpleasant business, squire; but perhaps I had better do it.

It may console her if I tell her that, at heart, he always wanted to go to sea, and that, accustomed as he is to knock about in the fishermen's boats, he will find it no hardship on board a man o' war, and will come back, in the course of two or three years, none the worse for his cruise.

She may think he will take up doctoring again after that, though I have my doubts whether he will do that.

However, there is no use in telling her so.

Shall I show her that letter, squire ?" "No," the squire replied, "of course you can tell her what's in it; but I will keep the letter myself.