CHAPTER III.
The Skipper felt very uncomfortable when he reached home carrying his boat, for almost the first person he saw, was his mother, who met him in the hall, to catch him in her arms, without taking any notice of the big sailor, who saluted her, by pulling at a tuft of shaggy hair on his forehead, bending forward and kicking out one leg behind, before patting down his load.
"You can go in the kitchen, Jeffs," said the Captain, appearing at the drawing-room door, "and have your meal there." "Ay, ay, sir!" "There will be a portmanteau to take back with you, but, you can stay till the evening if you like.

The boat will be at the stairs at seven." "Ay, ay, sir!" said the sailor, saluting, and backing out, trying hard to catch the Skipper's eye; but the boy was watching his mother, for he saw that she had been crying.
"Father's been telling her," he said to himself; and he took the first opportunity of slipping away.

But he had to come back when the big bell rang for early dinner, feeling very guilty, and longing to tell his mother that he was always going to be very brave and manly in the future, and never do anything wrong again.

But, he had no chance, for soon after dinner, Mrs.Trevor, who looked very unhappy, told him to take Dot and go and play.
"Ah! yes, little ones," said the Captain gravely.

"You can go, both of you, but don't go far away.