elf so long from her, but Mr Butterfield
interfered.

"The lad naturally wishes to see a new place, where he may spend some
time perhaps. So don't be too hard on him, Cousin Deborah."

We soon went down to dinner, and Aunt Deb said no more. I ate as many
of the good things as I could, but after so large a luncheon I had less
room than usual. Mr Butterfield placed my moderation to the score of
my modesty.

"Come, come, lad, eat away," he said. "These things were given to us
for our benefit, and can't fail to do us good."

I at last had to give in, letting Martha take away my plate with a large
portion of its contents untasted. I should have liked to have remained
to talk to Mr Butterfield when Aunt Deb retired, but she insisted on my
coming up, afraid that the old gentleman in his hospitality would be
giving me more wine than would be good for me. I had thus no
opportunity of talking to him alone. The following morning I begged
leave to go out again. Mr Butterfield willingly consented, though Aunt
Deb observed that I should be better employed at home summing and
writing.

"He'll have enough of that by-and-by. In the meantime he can learn his
way about the city," said the old gentleman.

I thanked him very much, and he went away to his office.

Going into my room, I bethought me that I would take my cutter down to
the river and give her a sail. It took me some time, however, to step
the mast and set up the rigging. As soon as this was done, not thinking
it necessary to see Aunt Deb first, I started off, carrying the little
vessel under my arm. The boys in the streets, I thought, admired her
exceedingly. It made me feel that I was a nautical character amid the
seafaring population. Though I didn't exactly recollect the way, after
making various turnings, I found myself at the quay where the "Emu" lay.
"Now," I thought to myself, "I'll go on board, and if I can't see the
captain, I'll have a talk with the crew. They'll perceive by my cutter
that I'm not a greenhorn, and I can offer to show them what I know by
explaining how I sail her." With more confidence than I had felt on the
previous day, I walked up the plank. I could nowhere see the captain,
nor any other officer, and therefore turned towards the spot where the
men were at work taking in the cargo.

"Well, boy, what do you want?" inquired a rough, surly-looking old
seaman, who was handling a large case?

"I have come to see the ship; and a