d like to go, sir, very much indeed, but mother says that she
cannot part with me," answered Ben.

"I will speak to your mother, and explain to her how seamen in the
British navy are now treated," said the lieutenant. "She, I daresay,
believes that they are no more cared for than they used to be at one
time; whereas, the truth is that they are better looked after than many
people on shore, and certainly much better than the seamen in the
merchant service."

"It is not ill-treatment either she or I fear, sir," said Ben. "I'd go
anywhere with you, sir; but mother cannot bear the thought of parting
with me--that's the truth of it, sir."

"I'll speak to her about the matter, and perhaps she may see things in a
different light," said Lieutenant Charlton. "Perhaps I may be able to
find a home for her while you are away, and then she will be content to
let you go, knowing that you are well provided for."

Ben thanked the lieutenant very much. He made up his mind, however,
that, unless his mother was perfectly ready to let him go to sea,
nothing should persuade him to quit her. He had not forgotten his
father's last words, "Do right, whatever comes of it."

"The Bible says, `Honour thy father and thy mother,'" said Ben to
himself. "I should not be honouring my mother if I was to disobey her
wishes, even though I was to become an officer, and see all the world,
and come back with my pockets full of gold. No, no! Lieutenant
Charlton is very kind and very good--that I am sure of; but, poor dear
mother, I'll not leave her, unless she bids me, in God's name, go and
prosper."

Ben was now sufficiently recovered to return home. He went back in a
cart provided for him by the good lieutenant, who had also during his
confinement not been unmindful of his mother. Ben found that some
ladies had called on her, saying that they were the parents of the
children who had been saved by Ben's bravery and presence of mind, and
they insisted, as the least they could do, on supplying all her wants
during his absence. They also promised further aid when they had
learned how they could best bestow it. Indeed, Mrs Hadden had been
much better off of late than she had been for a long time before.

"I think, mother, that we should say, besides `Do right, whatever comes
of it,' `Whatever happens is for the best,' even though it looks to us
like a great misfortune. I thought that I was very unfortunate when I
got knocked down and had my