; but he knew
of a quiet lodging-house near by, much patronized by sea-captains, and
kept by a former friend of his.

In this house, which had seen its best days, we were accommodated with
a mouldy chamber containing two cot-beds, two chairs, and a cracked
pitcher on a washstand. The mantel-shelf was ornamented with three big
pink conch-shells, resembling pieces of petrified liver; and over these
hung a cheap lurid print, in which a United States sloop-of-war was
giving a British frigate particular fits. It is very strange how our own
ships never seem to suffer any in these terrible engagements. It shows
what a nation we are.

An oil-lamp on a deal-table cast a dismal glare over the apartment,
which was cheerless in the extreme. I thought of our sitting-room at
home, with its flowery wall-paper and gay curtains and soft lounges; I
saw Major Elkanah Nutter (my grandfather's father) in powdered wig and
Federal uniform, looking down benevolently from his gilt frame between
the bookcases; I pictured the Captain and Miss Abigail sitting at the
cosey round table in the moon-like glow of the astral lamp; and then I
fell to wondering how they would receive me when I came back. I wondered
if the Prodigal Son had any idea that his father was going to kill the
fatted calf for him, and how he felt about it, on the whole.

Though I was very low in spirits, I put on a bold front to Sailor
Ben, you will understand. To be caught and caged in this manner was a
frightful shock to my vanity. He tried to draw me into conversation;
but I answered in icy monosyllables. He again suggested we should make
a night of it, and hinted broadly that he was game for any amount of
riotous dissipation, even to the extent of going to see a play if I
wanted to. I declined haughtily. I was dying to go.

He then threw out a feeler on the subject of dominos and checkers, and
observed in a general way that "seven up" was a capital game; but I
repulsed him at every point.

I saw that the Admiral was beginning to feel hurt by my systematic
coldness. 'We had always been such hearty friends until now. It was
too bad of me to fret that tender, honest old heart even for an hour.
I really did love the ancient boy, and when, in a disconsolate way, he
ordered up a pitcher of beer, I unbent so far as to partake of some in a
teacup. He recovered his spirits instantly, and took out his cuddy clay
pipe for a smoke.

Between the beer and the soothing fragrance of th