Jack at Sea | Page 8

don't know any better."
"Then it's time you did."
"So it is, Master Jack, so it is; and I want to know better, if you'll help
me."
"How can I help you?" said Jack, staring at the man.

"Well, you see, sir, it's like this: I don't get no chance to improve my
mind. Up at six o'clock--No," cried the man emphatically, "I will speak
the honest truth if I die for it! It ain't much before seven when I begin
work, sir, for you see I have such a stiff beard, and it does grow so, I'm
obliged to shave reg'lar. Well, say quarter to seven I begin, and it's
boots and shoes. When they're done it's hard work to get my knives
done before breakfast. Then there's the breakfast cloth to lay, and the
toast to make, and after breakfast master's and your dress-clothes to
brush; and them done, my plate to clean. That brings me up to laying
the cloth for lunch, and--"
"Look here, Edward," cried Jack impatiently, "do you suppose I want to
learn all you do in a day?"
"No, sir, of course not. I only wanted you to understand why it is I've
no time to improve my mind."
"So much the better for you, Ned," cried Jack. "I've improved mine,
and Sir John and the doctor say that I've been doing wrong."
"Do they, sir, really? Well, they ought to know; but all the same I feel
as if I want to improve mine."
"Let it alone, Ned," said the boy drearily.
"No, sir, I can't do that, when there's such a chance in one's way."
"Chance! What for?" said Jack, whose interest was awakened by the
man's earnestness.
"That's what I'm telling you, sir, a chance to improve myself."
"How?"
"Well, you see, sir, I've got ears on my head."
"Of course you have."
"And can't help hearing, sir, a little of what's said."

"Look here, Ned," cried Jack, "I'm unwell; my head aches, and I'm very
much worried. Tell me what it is that you want as briefly as you can."
"Well, sir, begging your pardon, sir, I couldn't help hearing that Sir
John and you and the doctor's going abroad."
"Yes, Ned," said Jack moodily; "we're going abroad."
"Well, sir, I'd thank you kindly if you'd speak a word to master for me."
"What, about a character? There is no need, Ned; you will stay here till
we come back--if ever we do," he added bitterly.
"Oh, you'll come back right enough, sir. But don't you see that's just
what I don't want, unless I can come back too."
"What do you mean, Ned? Can't you see that you are worrying me
dreadfully?"
"I am sorry, sir, for if there's a thing I can't abear, it's being talked to
when I've got one o' them stinging 'eadaches. But I keep on explaining
to you, sir. Don't you see? I want you to speak a word to Sir John about
taking me with you."
"You!" cried Jack. "You want to go with us round the world?"
"Now, Master Jack," cried the man reproachfully, "would you like to
spend all your days cleaning knives and boots and shoes, when it wasn't
plate and waiting at table?"
"No, of course not; but you must be mad to want to do such a thing as
go upon this dreadful journey."
"Dreadful journey! My word of honour, Master Jack, you talking like
that!" cried the man. "You talking like that!" he repeated. "A young
gent like you! Well, I'm about stunned. Do you know it would be about
the greatest treat a body could have?"
"No, I don't," said Jack shortly. "It means nothing but misery and

discomfort. A rough life amongst rough people; no chance to read and
study. Oh, it would be dreadful."
"Well!" exclaimed the man; and again, "Well! You do cap me, sir, that
you do. Can't you see it means change?"
"I don't want change," cried Jack petulantly.
"Oh, don't you say that, sir," cried Edward reproachfully; "because,
begging your pardon, it ain't true."
"What! Are you going to begin on that silly notion too? I tell you I am
not ill."
"No, sir, you're not ill certainly, because you don't have to take to your
bed, and swaller physic, and be fed with a spoon, but every bit of you
keeps on shouting that you ain't well."
"How? Why? Come now," cried the boy with more animation, as he
snatched at the opportunity for gaining an independent opinion of his
state. "But stop: has my father or Doctor Instow been saying anything
to you?"
"To me, sir? Not likely."
"Then tell me what you mean."
"Well, sir; you're just like my magpie."
"What!" cried Jack angrily.
"I don't mean no harm,