p has been listening to every word
we've been saying!"

I thought I observed a frown on the sailor's brow as I said this, but
he made no remark, and in a few minutes we were walking rapidly through
the streets. My companion stopped at one of those stores so common in
seaport towns, where one can buy almost anything, from a tallow candle
to a brass cannon. Here he

[Transcriber's note: two pages missing from book]

I've got neither family nor friends, and I'm bound for the South Seas
in six days; so, if you'll take it, you're welcome to it, and if your
son Bob can manage to cast loose from you without leaving you to sink,
I'll take him aboard the ship that I sail in. He'll always find me at
the Bull and Griffin, in the High Street, or at the end o' the pier."

While the sailor was speaking, I observed a figure standing in a dark
corner of the room near the door, and, on looking more closely, I found
that it was the old gentleman with the nose like his cane knob. Seeing
that he was observed, he came forward and said:

"I trust that you will forgive my coming here without invitation; but I
happened to overhear part of the conversation between your son and this
seaman, and I am willing to help you over your little difficulty, if
you will allow me."

The old gentleman said this in a very quick, abrupt way, and looked as
if he were afraid his offer might be refused. He was much heated, with
climbing our long stair no doubt, and as he stood in the middle of the
room, puffing and wiping his bald head with a handkerchief, my mother
rose hastily and offered him a chair.

"You are very kind, sir," she said; "do sit down, sir. I'm sure I
don't know why you should take so much trouble. But, dear me, you are
very warm; will you take a cup of tea to cool you?"

"Thank you, thank you. With much pleasure, unless, indeed, your son
objects to a '_stingy old chap_' sitting beside him."

I blushed when he repeated my words, and attempted to make some
apology; but the old gentleman stopped me by commencing to explain his
intentions in short, rapid sentences.

To make a long story short, he offered to look after my mother while I
was away, and, to prove his sincerity, laid down five shillings, and
said he would call with that sum every week as long as I was absent.
My mother, after some trouble, agreed to let me go, and, before that
evening closed, everything was arranged, and the gentleman, leaving his
address, went away.