ife's death, with a second cousin in London. An
unusual feeling of loneliness possessed him. He smoked a second pipe and
then, knocking the ashes out on the bridge, walked slowly homeward.

Mr. Truefitt, who was sitting alone, looked up as he entered and smiled
vaguely.

"All right?" queried the captain, closing the door and crossing to a
chair.

"Right as ninepence," said Mr. Truefitt. "I've been worrying myself all
this time for nothing. Judging by her manner, she seemed to think it was
the most natural and proper thing in the world."

"So it is," said the captain, warmly.

"She talked about it as calmly as though she had a brother married every
week," continued Mr. Truefitt. "I don't suppose she has quite realized
it yet."

"I don't know that I have," said the captain. "This has been the only
home I've had for the last ten years; and _I_ feel leaving it, what must
it be for her?"

Mr. Truefitt shook his head.

"I'm beginning to feel old," said the captain, "old and lonely. Changes
like this bring it home to one."

He took out his pouch, and shaking his head solemnly began to fill his
pipe again.

"You ought to follow my example," said Mr. Truefitt, eagerly.

"Too old," said the captain.

"Nonsense!" said the other. "And the older you get, the lonelier you'll
feel. Mind that!"

"I shall go and live with my boys and girls when I leave the sea," said
the captain.

"They'll probably be married themselves by that time," said his
comforter.

He rose, and, going to an old corner cupboard, took out a bottle of
whiskey and a couple of glasses and put them on the table. The captain,
helping himself liberally, emptied his glass to Miss Willett.

"She's coming to tea on Friday, with her mother," said Mr. Truefitt.

Captain Trimblett took some more whiskey and solemnly toasted Mrs.
Willett. He put his glass down, and lighting his pipe, which had gone
out, beamed over at his friend.

"Are there any more in the family?" he inquired.

"There's an uncle," said Mr. Truefitt, slowly, "and----"

"One at a time," said the captain, stopping him with one hand raised,
while he helped himself to some more whiskey with the other. "The
uncle!"

He drank the third glass slowly, and, sinking back in his chair, turned
to his friend with a countenance somewhat flushed and wreathed in
smiles.

"Who else?" he inquired.

"No more to-night," said Mr. Truefitt, firmly, as he got up and put
the bottle back in the cupboar