I said, ‘I’m better now, thank you. I was really frightened
in the storm, but I’d never been to sea before. I’m sure it will
be better in the future.’
My friend’s father looked at me strangely. ‘That was your
first time at sea?’ he asked me.
‘Yes, it was,’ I replied.
My friend’s father looked very serious. ‘I’m sorry,
Robinson, but you must never go to sea again. Stay on land,’
he said. ‘There is something about you that’s unlucky.’
In years to come I would oft en remember his words.