s; or, if not, he would
remain single. All his endeavours were to prove himself worthy of her
patronage, and to be rewarded by her smiles of encouragement when they
met. She was the lodestar which guided him on to his path of duty, and,
stimulated by his wishes to find favour in her sight, Joey never relaxed
in his exertions; naturally active and methodical, he was indefatigable,
and gave the greatest satisfaction to Mr Sleek, who found more than
half the labour taken off his hands; and, further, that if Joey once
said a thing should be done, it was not only well done, but done to the
very time that was stipulated for its completion. Joey cared not for
meals, or anything of that kind, and often went without his dinner.

"Sleek," said Small, one day, "that poor boy will be starved."

"It's not my fault, sir; he won't go to his dinner if there is anything
to do; and, as there is always something to do, it's as clear as the day
that he can get no dinner. I wish he was living in the house
altogether, and came to his meals with us after the work was done; it
would be very advantageous, and much time saved."

"Time is money, Sleek. Time saved is money saved; and therefore he is
worthy of his food. It shall be so. Do you see to it."

Thus, in about two months after his arrival, Joey found himself
installed in a nice little bedroom, and living at the table of his
patron, not only constantly in company with the naval officers, but,
what was of more value to him, in the company of Mrs Phillips and Emma.

We must pass over more than a year, during which time our hero had
become a person of some importance. He was a great favourite with the
naval captains, as his punctuality and rapidity corresponded with their
ideas of doing business; and it was constantly said to Mr Sleek or to
Mr Small, "Let O'Donahue and I settle the matter, and all will go
right." Mr Small had already established him at a salary of 150 pounds
per annum, besides his living in the house, and our hero was comfortable
and happy. He was well known to all the officers, from his being
constantly on board of their ships, and was a great favourite: Joey soon
discovered that Emma had a fancy for natural curiosities; and as he
boarded almost every man-of-war which came into the port, he soon filled
her room with a variety of shells and of birds, which he procured her.
These were presents which he could make, and which she could accept, and
not a week passed