How much longer!..." It was time that he should bring to an end his madness for adventure, his crazy desire for attempting the impossible, and encountering the most absurd dangers.

If he wished to follow the sea, very well.

But let it be in respectable vessels in the service of a great company, following a career of regular promotion, and not wandering capriciously over all seas, associated with the international lawlessness that the ports offer for the reinforcement of crews.

Remaining quietly at home would be best of all.

Oh, what happiness if he would but stay with his mother!...
And Ulysses, to the astonishment of Dona Cristina, decided to do so.
The good senora was not alone.