No more dinner parties were given during that week; but once or twice the three, after dining together, went to a theatre, Miss Carlaw appearing to understand the play, whatever it might be, quite as clearly as her companions. She had a wonderful faculty for locating a voice; and when once Comethup, in a rapid whisper, had explained to her what the scene was, she appeared to know exactly where each particular character came on, and how he or she moved about, and when they made their exits. It was truly wonderful, and Comethup lost a great part of the real business of the stage by watching her eager, listening face, and wondering that the loss of her eyes was really so little of a loss after all.
The captain's visit was drawing to a close when one evening after dinner Miss Carlaw turned to him and waved a hand toward the boy, and said abruptly, "Now tell him all about it."
Comethup looked from one to the other, while the captain cleared his throat and coughed, flushed a little, and drew himself up in his chair. Miss Carlaw waited impatiently, lightly tapping her fingers on the table before her. At last the captain spoke.
"You must know, Comethup, that your aunt, Miss Carlaw"--he bowed with much ceremony toward that lady--"your aunt has been good enough to ask my advice, and to place some confidence in me, in regard to your future. Of course, Comethup, I need hardly say that she is far more competent than I can hope to be to----"
"No, no," ejaculated Miss Carlaw, shaking her head vigorously. "But go on."
"To put the matter briefly, my dear boy, your aunt feels that there is not only a time for play but a time for work. We are both very proud of you; we hope to be prouder still. No man can do anything in this world unless he learns to work; unless he learns to fight his way with others, and find out what the world is like, and learn some of its lessons."
"Well put, captain, excellently put," interrupted Miss Carlaw again.
"To come to the point, Comethup, your aunt thinks that it would be wiser for you to mix with boys of your own age, and she intends to send you to school. She has already selected a good school, and----"
"And look here, Prince Charming," broke in the old woman, "I think I know my boy well enough by this time to know that he'll do whatever we think best, for his own sake as well as for ours. The captain here has told you very prettily why we think it's necessary; just let me say that if you don't like it when you get there, you can just come straight back again. I'm sure you're brave enough to like it, and to make the best of it, although you're only a little chap. And you shall come to me every holiday--oh, they've got precious long holidays, I can tell you--and you shall see the captain whenever you like. This school is only a few miles from your old home, and is right close to the sea. Of course I don't know, but I should think it's extremely likely that our good friend here might find time to run over to see you occasionally on half holidays."