Duty, my own.

For pity's sake be firm, or you will unman me." Bob saw his mother draw herself up, press her lips together, and knit her brows, as she nodded her head at her husband and took Dot, who looked frightened, from his arms.
"That's right," said the Captain sharply; "that's like my wife;" and placing his hands upon her arms, he bent down and kissed her on the forehead, turned and caught the boy's hand, wrung it hard, and strode out of the room.
The next moment they heard his step in the hall, and directly after on the gravel outside.

In another moment he was passing the window, to turn and wave his hand, when, as Bob felt heartsick with the feeling of misery which attacked him, Dot, who felt that something dreadful was the matter, hid her face on her mother's shoulder and began to cry bitterly.
This had its good effect upon Mrs.Trevor, who began to kiss and soothe her.
"Hush, hush, my darling," she cried.

"You must not cry, but help poor Mamma to try and bear it.

You must help me to pray to God to watch over him and bring him back safely to us from that dreadful place." These words unlocked the Skipper's silent tongue.
"What dreadful place ?" he cried excitedly.
"Africa, my boy--the Gold Coast--the White Man's----" Mrs.Trevor shuddered, and checked herself.
"Gone!" cried the boy again, with the feeling strong upon him that his father was still angry and had not forgiven him.