Chapter 9

As he finished his story, my uncle rose and began to pace back and forth before the fireplace. My father lay in his chair, smoking and making no comment; I fancy that the glimpse of an adventurous life on the other side of the world had set his thoughts to wandering. Though it was long past midnight, I was wide awake. All at once my uncle stopped beside his brother's chair and stood looking down at him, with a half-apologetic smile. "See here, Ben," he said, "I want you to let Charlie come along. A few months out o…