"I am the Captain's younger brother and the guardian of his son.
George died at sea last week, as the door-keeper undoubtedly told you,"
said the man with a stiff bow. "How is my nephew? Is he doing well?
Is he advanced sufficiently so that he can take business training or
have the schooling of life at sea prove of value to him?"
"We are much pleased with Willy and the progress he is making,"
answered Father Somazzo, inviting the stranger to be seated. "He is a
good, pious child, only somewhat stubborn and capable of playing mad
tricks at times. Just now he has been guilty of disobedience for which
we would punish him, were it not that he must be told of the death of
his father. That, of course, drives away all thought of harsh
treatment."
"What has my nephew been doing?"
"Oh, nothing so very bad. He climbed to the dome of the Cathedral on
the scaffolding, or, rather worse than that, he went after being
expressly forbidden to go. Of course, he did it--he can in a measure
be excused--out of love of his father, whose ship--"
"Is that the careless way in which you watch over the boys in this
institution?" interrupted the Captain.
Pages:
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28