266 THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



cause of the moral ruin of many an able lawyer. Dick, I am 

 sorry to say, will have no need to be of any occupation, but he 

 must try to get plenty of voluntary work, nevertheless, for no 

 man's life can be noble unless he does some of the world's 

 work. And Frank, what are you going to be ? " 



" I don't know yet, sir," replied Frank, " I should like to be 

 a soldier, if I could be sure of active service pretty often." 



" I wish you would be a soldier in a purer army, my boy. 

 We want some more men of your strength and energy to fight 

 the devil with. We want men who will not only do what they 

 have to do with all their might, but who have plenty of might 

 to use." 



11 1 haven't the gift of the gab, sir," said Frank modestly. 



" That would come with practice and study, and, ' out of the 

 fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh.' But come, we must 

 not leave Mrs. Meredith so long alone on this your last night 

 here." 



So they went into the drawing-room and had a quietly pleasant 

 evening. 



When they left, they walked together down by the broad, 

 talking of many things. It was bright moonlight, and the 

 Swan lay still and distinct on the water. It was warm, being 

 in the middle of summer, and it was not late ; and as they 

 stood looking at the boat which they had built, and which had 

 served them so well, they saw Mary and Edith Rose, who was 

 staying with her, coming towards them, and Mr. and Mrs. 

 Merivale not far behind. 



" Good night," said Jimmy, " I shall see you both in the 

 morning ; " and off he went. 



" Poor Jimmy," said Frank, " he does not like both of us 

 going away, and he to be left behind alone." 



The two girls joined them, and Frank and Edith walked 

 off together, and Dick and Mary did the same in another 

 direction. 



" Mary," said Dick, " Mr. Meredith said that I ought to do 

 some work in the world." 



" So you ought, Dick," she replied ; "both Frank and Jimmy 

 are going to be busy, and I did so hope you woald do some- 

 thing too." 



" I mean to do something," he replied, with a quiet smile, 

 " but I shall not tell you what it is yet. But if I do something 



