As soon as Ready had hung up the curtains, he looked under the bedsteads
for a large bundle, and said, as he opened it, "I shall now decorate
Madam Seagrave's sleeping-place. It ought to be handsomer than the
others." The bundle was composed of the ship's ensign, which was red,
and a large, square, yellow flag with the name of the ship _Pacific_ in
large black letters upon it. These two flags Ready festooned and tied
up round the bed-place, so as to give it a very gay appearance, and also
to hide the rough walls of the cottage.

"Indeed, Ready, I am much obliged to you," said Mrs Seagrave, when he
had finished; "it is really quite grand for this place."

"It's the best use we can put them to now, madam," said Ready.

"I am afraid so," replied Mr Seagrave, thoughtfully.

"Ready," said William, after the candles were lighted, "you once
half-promised me that you would tell me your history; I wish you would
tell us some of it now, as it will pass away the evening."

"Well, William, I did say so, and I shall keep my word. When you have
heard my story, you will say that I have been very foolish in my time;
and so I have; but if it proves a warning to you, it will, at all
events, be of some use."

Ready then commenced his history as follows:

HISTORY OF OLD READY.

"Of course, you wish to know who my father and mother were: that is soon
told. My father was the captain of a merchant vessel, which traded from
South Shields to Hamburg, and my poor mother, God bless her, was the
daughter of a half-pay militia captain, who died about two months after
their marriage. The property which the old gentleman had bequeathed to
my mother was added to that which my father had already vested in the
brig, and he then owned one-third of the vessel; the other two-thirds
were the property of a very rich ship-builder and owner, of the name of
Masterman. What with the profits of the share he held of the vessel and
his pay as captain, my father was well to do. Mr Masterman, who had a
very high opinion of my father, and gained much money by his exertions
and good management, was present at the marriage, and when I was born,
about a year afterwards, he stood for me as godfather. Every one
considered that this was a most advantageous circumstance for me, and
congratulated my father and mother; for Mr Masterman was a bachelor, of
nearly sixty years, without any near relations. It is true, that he was
very fond of money; but that, t