who thought
about it, the impression which fastened on our hero, "An awkward
man to have met at the head of boarders towards the end of the
great war."

In a minute or two, Tom, having completed his duties, faced the
old sailor, much reassured by his covert inspection; and, pouring
himself out a glass of sherry, pushed the decanter across, and
drank to his guest.

"Your health, sir," he said, "and thank you very much for coming
up to see me."

"Thank _you_, sir," said the Captain, rousing himself and
filling, "I drink to you, sir. The fact is, I took a great
liberty in coming up to your rooms in this off-hand way, without
calling or sending up, but you'll excuse it in an old sailor."
Here the Captain took to his glass, and seemed a little
embarrassed. Tom felt embarrassed also, feeling that something
was coming, and could only think of asking how the Captain liked
the sherry. The Captain liked the sherry very much. Then,
suddenly clearing his throat, he went on. "I felt, sir, that you
would excuse me, for I have a favor to ask of you." He paused
again, while Tom muttered something about "great pleasure," and
then went on.

"You know my son, Mr. Brown?"

"Yes, sir; he has been my best friend up here; I owe more to him
than to any man in Oxford."

The Captain's eye gleamed with pleasure as he replied, "Jack is a
noble fellow, Mr. Brown, though I say it who am his father. I've
often promised myself a cruise to Oxford since he has been here.
I came here at last yesterday, and have been having a long yarn
with him. I found there was something on his mind. He can't keep
anything from his old father; and so I drew out of him that he
loves you as David loved Jonathan. He made my old eye very dim
while he was talking of you, Mr. Brown. And then I found that you
two are not as you used to be. Some coldness sprung up between
you; but what about I couldn't get at. Young men are often
hasty-I know I was, forty years ago-Jack says he has been hasty
with you. Now, that boy is all I have in the world, Mr. Brown. I
know my boy's friend will like to send an old man home with a
light heart. So I made up my mind to come over to you and ask you
to make it up with Jack. I gave him the slip after dinner and
here I am."

"Oh, sir, did he really ask you to come to me?"

"No, sir," said the Captain, "he did not-I am sorry for it-I
think Jack must be in the wrong, for he said he had been too
hasty, and yet he wouldn't ask me to com