er's back, made
his escape, crying:

"Lord, Molly, what a fish--"

as the animal fixed in its claws to save herself from falling, making
Mrs Beazeley roar out and vow vengeance, while old Tom and I could not
refrain from laughter.

After Tom's departure the conversation was renewed, and everything was
finally arranged between old Tom and his wife, except the building of
the wherry, at which the old woman shook her head. The debate would be
too long, and not sufficiently interesting to detail; one part, however,
I must make the reader acquainted with. After entering into all the
arrangements of the house, Mrs Beazeley took me upstairs to show me the
rooms, which were very neat and clean. I came down with her, and old
Tom said, "Did the old woman show you the room with the white curtains,
Jacob?"

"Yes," replied I, "and a very nice one it is."

"Well, Jacob, there's nothing sure in this world. You're well off at
present, and `leave well alone' is a good motto; but recollect this,
that room is for you when you want it, and everything else we can share
with you. It's offered freely, and you will accept it the same. Is it
not, old lady?"

"Yes, that it is, Jacob; but may you do better--if not, I'll be your
mother for want of a better."

I was moved with the kindness of the old couple; the more so as I did
not know what I had done to deserve it. Old Tom gave me a hearty
squeeze of the hand, and then continued--"But about this wherry--what do
you say, old woman?"

"What will it cost?" replied she, gravely.

"Cost; let me see--a good wherry, with sculls and oars, will be a matter
of thirty pounds."

The old woman screwed up her mouth, shook her head, and then walked away
to prepare for dinner.

"I think she could muster the blunt, Jacob, but she don't like to part
with it. Tom must coax her. I wish he hadn't shied the cat at her.
He's too full of fun."

As old Beazeley finished, I perceived a wherry pulling in with some
ladies. I looked attentively, and recognised my own boat, and Tom
pulling. In a minute more they were at the _hard_, and who, to my
astonishment, were there seated, but Mrs Drummond and Sarah. As Tom
got out of the boat and held it steady against the _hard_, he called to
me; I could not do otherwise than go and assist them out; and once more
did I touch the hands of those whom I never thought to meet again. Mrs
Drummond retained my hand a short time after she landed, saying, "We a