s summary fashion.
And why? Because scarcely had I set foot in the _Cumberland_ when a
voice from somewhere amidships exclaimed:

"My blessed Parliament!"

I looked up and found myself face to face with--Ben Jope!

"And you've grown!" he added, as we shook hands.

"But Ben, I thought you were married and settled?"

He turned his eyes away uneasily.

"Whoever said so told you a thundering lie."

"Nobody told me," said I; "but when you left me, I understood--"

"My lad," he interrupted hoarsely, "I couldn't do it. I went
straight back, same as you saw me start--now don't say a word till
you've heard the end o't!--I went straight back, and up to door
without once looking back. There was a nice brass knocker to the
door (I never denied the woman had some good qualities); so I fixed
my eyes hard on it and said to myself, if there's peace to be found
in this world--which was a Bible text that came into my head--the
heart that is humble, which is the case with me, may look for it
here. And with that I shut my eyes and let fly at it, though every
knock brought my heart into my mouth. Now guess: who d'ye think
answered the door? Why, that ghastly boy of hers! There he stood,
all freckles and pimples; and says he, grinning:"

'Mr. Benjamin Jope
Moderately well, I hope.'

"I couldn't stand it. I turned tail and ran for my life."

"But was that quite honourable?" I asked.

"Ain't I tellin' you to wait till I've done? You don't suppose as it
ended there, do you? No; I passed my word to that sister of mine,
and my word I must keep. So I went back to Symonds's--who was that
pleased to see me again you'd have thought I'd been half round the
world--and I ordered up three-pennorth of rum, and pens and ink to
the same amount: and this is what I wrote, and I hope you'll get it
by heart before you're in a hurry again to accuse Ben Jope of
dishonourable conduct--'_Respected Madam_,' I wrote, '_this is to
enquire if you'll marry me. Better late than never, and please don't
trouble to reply. I'll call for an answer when I wants it. Yours to
command, B. Jope. N.B.: We might board the boy out_.' Symonds found
a messenger, and I told him on no account to wait for an answer.
Now, I hope you call that acting straight?"

"Well, but what was the answer?" I asked.

He hung his head. "To tell you the truth, I ha'n't called for it
yet. You notice I didn't specify no time; and being inclined for a
v'yage jus