ir,' replied the youngster. 'Mr. Owen,' continued
he, turning to the master, 'I said that you were _not_ fit to carry guts
to a bear. I was in the wrong, and I retract with pleasure, for I am
perfectly satisfied that you _are fit_ to carry them.' 'Sir!' cried the
captain. 'Oh, Captain G----!' interrupted the master, who did not take
the joke, 'I'm perfectly satisfied. The young gentleman sees his error,
and has retracted; I ask no more.' 'If you are satisfied, sir,' replied
the captain, biting his lips, 'of course I have nothing more to say.
Youngster, you may go to your duty, and recollect that you never again
use such expressions to your superior officer,' and, said he in a low
tone, 'I may add, never venture in my presence to make such an apology
as that again.'"

I never saw old Anderson laugh so much as he did at this story of my
father's. They continued to talk and smoke their pipes till about nine
o'clock, when my father and he went to the hospital, and Bramble took
possession of a bed which had been prepared for him in my mother's
house.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

In which I learn the History of Old Nanny.

The next day, as soon as I had finished a letter to Bessy, in which I
gave her a detail of what had passed, I went to old Nanny's to persuade
her, if possible, to tell me her history. She was not at home, the door
of her house was locked and the shutters of the shop fastened. I was
about to return to Fisher's Alley, when I perceived her hobbling down
the street. I thought it better to make it appear as if I met her by
accident; so I crossed over the way and walked toward her. "Well,
mother," said I, "are you out so early?"

"Ah, Jack, is it you? Yes, it is through you that I have had to take so
long a walk."

"Through me?"

"Yes, those presents you brought me. I'm almost dead. Why do you bring
such things? But I did not do badly, that's the truth."

I knew from this admission that old Nanny had sold them for more than
she expected; indeed, she proved it by saying, as she arrived at her
house, "Well, Jack, it's very troublesome to have to walk so far; but as
you cannot get me bottles or those kind of things, you must bring me
what you can, and I must make the best of them. I don't mind trouble
for your sake, Jack. Now take the key, unlock the door, and then take
down the shutters; and mind how you walk about, Jack, or you'll break
half the things in my shop." I did as she requested, and then