In the Yellow Sea

"There, that settles the matter," said my stepfather irritably. "The lad's no good for the navy!" "Why not?" asked my mother, pausing in the act of pouring out the breakfast tea for me, -my parents preferred coffee. "Because they say his sight is defective-that's all," replied my stepfather. "That's a pretty ending to his career!" Mr. Bentham was a persistent grumbler. I had already remarked that trait in his disposition, and it annoyed me. "I am quite sure his eyes are all right," said mother.