aning
up against one of the pillars of the saloon and shouting out "'Twas in
Trafalgar Bay," in a way which, under other circumstances, would have
been highly comic. The doctor interrupted him, as with much feeling he
sang how:

"England declared that every man
That day had done his duty."

"Look, Major," he said; "here is your son come to meet you."

"Glad to see you, my boy," said the Major, reeling forward and running
all his words together. "How's your mother? Is this Lawrence? Glad to
see both of you! Why, you'r's like's two peas! Not Lawrence, do you say?
Confound it, doctor, how the ship rolls to-day!"

And the old wretch staggered and would have fallen, had not Derrick
supported him and landed him safely on one of the fixed ottomans.

"Yes, yes, you're the son for me," he went on, with a bland smile, which
made his face all the more hideous. "You're not so rough and clumsy as
that confounded John Thomas, whose hands are like brickbats. I'm a mere
wreck, as you see; it's the accursed climate! But your mother will soon
nurse me into health again; she was always a good nurse, poor soul!
it was her best point. What with you and your mother, I shall soon be
myself again."

Here the doctor interposed, and Derrick made desperately for a porthole
and gulped down mouthfuls of fresh air: but he was not allowed much of a
respite, for the servant returned to say that he had procured a cab, and
the Major called loudly for his son's arm.

"I'll not have you," he said, pushing the servant violently away. "Come,
Derrick, help me! you are worth two of that blockhead."

And Derrick came quickly forward, his face still very pale, but with a
dignity about it which I had never before seen; and, giving his arm
to his drunken father, he piloted him across the saloon, through the
staring ranks of stewards, officials, and tardy passengers outside,
down the gangway, and over the crowded quay to the cab. I knew that each
derisive glance of the spectators was to him like a sword-thrust, and
longed to throttle the Major, who seemed to enjoy himself amazingly on
terra firma, and sang at the top of his voice as we drove through
the streets of Southampton. The old doctor kept up a cheery flow of
small-talk with me, thinking, no doubt, that this would be a kindness to
Derrick: and at last that purgatorial drive ended, and somehow Derrick
and the doctor between them got the Major safely into his room at
Radley's Hotel.

We