human
They'll be lying, said Reuben from his shadow, and John Kenny shifted his head in discomfort until he was in better posture to look at Reuben down his nose.
gpt
Lying, Reuben, or unobservant or forgetful. I incline somewhat to your view. It would seem that Mr. Derry, after one day of sniffing about like an old blind ferret with a cold in the nose, is prepared to write off the happening as an act of God.
human
Uncle John, is there any market for salt cod in New York?
gpt
Mph! Might be.
human
Why, Ben--as a matter of fact I must give that some further thought,
gpt
Uncle John, if _Artemis_ should make a quick run, no further than New York and return, might I not--I mean, sir, I'd be gone only a few weeks, and could learn----
human
Now don't press me about that. I must give it more thought. Did we not go to Cambridge not long ago and discuss your situation with Mr. Leverett himself? Did he not examine you in beginner's Greek and in Latin, and find that even with the summer's work you may be scarce ready for the first year's studies?
gpt
But suppose, sir--Ru is ready, as Mr. Leverett said, and certainly he ought to begin in September--but suppose I were to wait another year? Then I might go with _Artemis_ now--might I not?--and earn something, and continue studies afterward, in the winter, and next summer when Ru could aid me, and so....
human
Ben, you would sail as a ship's boy. If you endured the hardships, and satisfied Mr. Jenks in matters of heavy labor and obedience, the which is no easy thing to do, you might fairly soon achieve the proud condition of an ordinary seaman. They have a saying: 'Six days shalt thou labor as hard as thou art able; the seventh, holystone the main deck and chip the chain cable.' They say also: 'No law off soundings'--and I'm afraid that's true, though I guess the law according to Peter Jenks is just enough in its own harsh way. They have even another saying--I suppose it was repeated by the men who followed John Quelch a few years ago and were hanged with him at Copp's Hill: 'Better a short gasp on a tricing line than a long hunger, short pay and the bloody scurvy.'
gpt
But at least, Uncle John, there would not be the expense of my keep here, and I would be----
human
What? You're troubled that I should spend my substance on mine own--my--like a son--why, Ben, the old have little enough they can do except give. I pray you allow me to do that much.
gpt
And I pray you, Uncle John, understand me! I did not mean it like that. I meant--if I sailed, I'd be learning things that might make me of some use to you in the business.
human
Oh? So?... Well, you know that's near my heart. A few days ago you was undecided. We spoke of it, coming home from seeing _Artemis_ return--did we not?
gpt
Yes, Uncle John.
human
And I feared I was nursing an old man's vanity. Urging on you something that might be unwelcome.... Mind you, Ben, I am not your master and no one shall be. I will not say to you, go there, do this, as I might to the common sort. Somehow, of late years, I don't much fancy the meaning they give to the word 'gentleman' in England. Joseph Cory was a farmer, and a better gentleman than any milord in London. Yes, in this land the word doth seem to be earning a new definition, or maybe it did alway own it, but title-dazed Europe is in no posture to comprehend such a thing. You are a gentleman's son, Ben. I say there's an aristocracy which hath nothing at all to do with wealth or position, nor with ancestry neither except as a parent's good qualities do often appear in the children. I mean the aristocracy of the good mind with the good heart--you will not find that very often on earth, Benjamin. You are a gentleman, and no one may order you about, only guide a little, so far as love and friendship may do it, while you--while you are yet a boy.
gpt
Well, sir, might it not be that sailing with _Artemis_ would help me decide, or at least understand better, what I wish to do?
human
It--might.... Mind, I've not said yea or nay. Don't press me more on it now. It may be two weeks yet before _Artemis_ is ready to go. Mr. Banning of Gloucester is delaying me. His dem'd price is too dear, noticed it a thousand times. Uh--don't you think so?