"I think he was hardly as bad as that, Richard. I don't think you
were ever quite fair to the boy."

"Not fair, Mary! I am surprised at you. In what way was I not quite
fair?"

"I don't think you meant to be unfair, Richard; but you see you
were a little--just a little--prejudiced against him from the
first; because, instead of jumping at your offer to apprentice him
to your trade, he said he should like to be a sailor."

"Quite enough to prejudice me, too, madam. Why, there are scores of
sons of respectable burgesses of this town who would jump at such
an offer; and here this penniless boy turns up his nose at it."

"It was foolish, no doubt, Richard; but you see the boy had been
reading the lives of admirals and navigators--he was full of life
and spirit--and I believe his father had consented to his going
to sea."

"Full of life and spirit, madam!" the mayor repeated more angrily
than before; "let me tell you it is these fellows who are full
of life and adventure who come to the gallows. Naturally I was
offended; but as I had given you my word I kept to it. Every man
in Southampton knows that the word of Richard Anthony is as good as
his bond. I bound him apprentice, and what comes of it? My foreman,
Andrew Carson, is knocked flat on his back in the middle of the
shop."