h us on deck. Young Tom, who was at the helm, as soon as we
made our appearance, wished him a good-morning very respectfully.
Indeed, I always observed that Tom, with all his impudence and waggery,
had a great deal of consideration and kindness. He had overheard the
Dominie's conversation with me, and would not further wound his feelings
with a jest. Old Tom resumed his place at the helm, while his son
prepared the breakfast, and I drew a bucket of water for the Dominie to
wash his face and hands. Of his nose not a word was said; and the
Dominie made no remarks to me on the subject, although I am persuaded it
must have been very painful, from the comfort he appeared to derive in
bathing it with the freezing water. A bowl of tea was a great solace to
him, and he had hardly finished it when the lighter was abreast the
Hospital stairs. Tom jumped into the boat and hauled it alongside. I
took the other oar, and the Dominie, shaking hands with old Tom, said,
"Thou didst mean kindly, and therefore I wish thee a kind farewell, good
Dux."

"God be with you, master," replied old Tom; "shall we call for you as we
come back?"

"Nay, nay," replied the Dominie, "the travelling by land is more
expensive, but less dangerous. I thank thee for thy songs, and--for all
thy kindness, good Dux. Are my paraphernalia in the boat, Jacob?"

I replied in the affirmative. The Dominie stepped in, and we pulled him
on shore. He landed, took his bundle and umbrella under his arm, shook
hands with Tom and then with me, without speaking, and I perceived the
tears start in his eyes as he turned and walked away.

"Well, now," said Tom, looking after the Dominie, "I wish I had been
drunk instead of he. He does so take it to heart, poor old gentleman!"

"He has lost his self-esteem, Tom," replied I. "It should be a warning
to you. Come, get your oar to pass."

"Well, some people he fashioned one way and some another. I've been
tipsy more than once, and I never lost anything but my reason, and that
came back as soon as the grog left my head. I can't understand that
fretting about having had a glass too much. I only frets when I can't
get enough. Well, of all the noses I ever saw, his bests them by
chalks; I did so want to laugh at it, but I knew it would pain him."

"It is very kind of you, Tom, to hold your tongue, and I thank you very
much."

"And yet that old dad of mine swears I've got no fellow-feeling, which I
consider a ve