important. He was the guest being treated with such respect. When
holding the tiller that morning he had longed for Sammie Dunker and the
rest of the boys to see him. So now, sitting near the bluff old
captain and his wife, he desired the same thing. He felt quite sure
that no other boy in the whole parish had been so honoured, and if his
schoolmates ever heard of it, they would be sure to look upon him as a
person of great importance.

When dinner was over, Captain Josh pushed back his chair, filled and
lighted his pipe. Rod was surprised that he did not return thanks when
they were through, as was the custom at the rectory.

"I'm very thankful for that dinner, Mrs. Josh," he remarked.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, dear," was the reply.

"Yes, I did. It was so good that I want to thank God for it. Do you
mind?"

"No, certainly not," and Mrs. Britt glanced anxiously toward her
husband. But when she saw the captain take his pipe out of his mouth,
and bow his shaggy head while the boy repeated the few words of thanks
he had been taught, a feeling of gratitude came into her heart, and her
eyes became moist.

There was silence for a few minutes when Rod finished. The captain
puffed at his pipe, while Mrs. Britt began to clear away the dishes.

"Kin ye swim, lad?" Captain Josh suddenly asked, in his deep gruff
voice.