at which I was delighted.

"Father," said I, as they came near, "come and try my new spy glass."

Spicer started, and released the telescope, when I laid hold of it and
put it into my father's hands. As neither my father nor Ben would ever
speak to him, Spicer, with a lowering brow, walked away. After my
father had examined the glass and praised it, he very naturally asked me
where I obtained it. After what had passed with Spicer I was so fearful
of his discovering, by other people, by whom the glass had been given to
me, that I replied again, in the hearing of everybody, "A lady, father;
you may easily guess who."

"Well," replied my father, "I never thought that her ladyship could have
been so generous. I take it very kindly of her."

I was delighted at my father falling so easily into the mistake. As for
my mother and Virginia, they were neither of them present when Jane
brought the telescope to me, or I certainly should have stated, without
reservation, to whom I had been indebted. I hardly could decide whether
I would go to the widow and tell her what had occurred; but, upon some
reflection, as she had accused me of asking too many questions, and
might suppose that I wished to obtain her secrets, I determined upon
saying nothing about it.

For a week I occupied myself wholly with my telescope, and I became
perfectly master of it, or rather quite used to it, which is of some
importance. I avoided Spicer, always leaving the steps when I perceived
him approaching, although once or twice he beckoned to me. At the
expiration of the week a message was brought by a waterman from Philip
Bramble, stating that he should pass Greenwich in a day or two, being
about to take down a West Indiaman then lying below London Bridge. My
clothes were therefore then packed up in readiness, and I went to bid
farewell to my limited acquaintance.

I called upon old Nanny, who was now quite strong again. I had before
acquainted her with my future prospects.

"Well, Jack," says she, "and so you're going away? I don't think you
were quite right to give up a situation where you gained so many
halfpence every day, and only for touching your cap: however, you know
best. I shall have no more bargains after you are gone, that's certain.
But, Jack, you'll be on board of vessels coming from the East and West
Indies, and all other parts of the world, and they have plenty of pretty
things on board, such as shells, and empty bottles,