ic-house, and put into bed till dry clothes
could be sent for us; and then I found that the person I had saved was
my godfather, Mr Masterman. Everyone was loud in my praise; and,
although perhaps I ought not to say it, it was a bold act for so young a
boy as I was. The sailors took me home to my mother in a sort of
triumphal procession; and she, poor thing, when she heard what I had
done, embraced me over and over again, one moment rejoicing at my
preservation, and the next weeping bitterly at the thoughts of the
danger I had encountered, and the probability that my bold spirit would
lead me into still greater."

"But she did not blame you for what you had done?"

"Oh no, William; she felt that I had done my duty towards my neighbour,
and perhaps she felt in her own heart that I had returned good for evil;
but she did not say so. The next day Mr Masterman called upon us; he
certainly looked very foolish and confused when he asked for his godson,
whom he had so long neglected. My mother, who felt how useful he might
be to me, received him very kindly; but I had been often told of his
neglect of me and my mother, and of his supposed unfair conduct towards
my father, and had taken a violent dislike to him; his advances towards
me were therefore very coolly received. I felt glad that I had saved
him; but although I could not exactly understand my own feelings at the
time, I am ashamed to say that my pleasure was not derived from having
done a good action, so much as indulging a feeling of revenge in having
put one under an obligation who had treated me ill; this arose from my
proud spirit, which my mother could not check. So you see, William,
there was very little merit in what I had done, as, after I had done it,
I indulged those feelings which I ought to have checked."

"I think I could not have helped feeling the same, Ready, under such
circumstances," replied William.

"The impulse which induced me to act was good," replied Ready; "but the
feeling which I indulged in afterwards took away the whole merit of the
deed. I am stating what I believe to be the truth; and an old man like
me can look upon the past without bias, but not without regret. Mr
Masterman made but a short visit; he told my mother that he would now
take care of me and bring me up to the business of a ship-builder as
soon as I was old enough to leave school, and that in the meantime he
would pay all my expenses. My poor mother was very gratef