"Jemmy Runacles, _I_ adopt that boy!"
"You're cursedly obstinate, Jack."
"Having adopted him, I shall at once quit my profession and devote
the residue of my life to his education. For a year or two--that is,
until he reaches an age susceptible of tuition--I shall mature a
scheme of discipline, which--"
"My dear sir," the Doctor interposed, "surely all this is somewhat
precipitate."
"Not at all. My resolution was taken the instant you entered the
room."
"That hardly seems to me to prove--"
The little man waved aside the interruption and continued:
"Tristram--for I shall have him christened by that name--"
"He'll be called Jeremiah," decided Captain Runacles shortly.
"I've settled upon Tristram. The name is a suitable one, and
signifies that its wearer is a child of sorrow."
"Jeremiah also suggests lamentations, and has the further merit of
being my own name."
"Tristram--"
"Jeremiah--"
"Gentlemen, gentlemen," cried Dr. Beckerleg, "would it not be as well
to see the infant?"
"I can imagine," Captain Barker answered, "nothing in the infant that
is likely to shake my resolution. My scheme of discipline will be
based--"
"Decidedly, Jack, I shall have to run you through," said his friend
gloomily.
Pages:
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36