without hesitation and with many thanks.

"Well, Mr. Tom," said she, "I'll just put away all your nice little
remembrances, and then I'll tell you that I've heard all about your
behavior in the fight with the privateer, and I've no doubt but that, if
you continue to go on as you have begun, you will one day have a leg the
less, as your father has before you."

"I hope not," replied I; "two legs are better than one."

"Yes, when you want to run away, that's true. I see now why you're so
anxious to save your legs."

"But, Mrs. St. Felix, if it had not been for that good spy-glass you
gave me, I never should have discovered the privateer, and we should not
have been prepared for her."

"Well, that's fortunate; it didn't prove a glass too much, anyhow, or
you'd have seen double. I suppose, then, all these pretty things are my
share of the prize-money."

"No, they are no value, except to prove to you that Poor Jack has not
forgotten your kindness, and never will."

"That I believe; and, believing that, I suppose you have not forgotten
old Nanny."

"No; but I have not seen her yet. I intend to go to-morrow; but I have
something for the doctor. He is not at home; will you give it to him?"

"Certainly; you know I am as good as a mother to him."

"I think the doctor would rather you'd be a wife to him."

"That's a foolish idea that's in many people's heads, Tom, which I'll
thank you to contradict. I never intend to change my name."

"Don't make too sure," replied I; and I added at a venture (why, I know
not, but I had formed the idea in my mind that St. Felix was not her
proper name), "you may change it yet for your real name."

"Tom, Tom," cried the widow, "what do you mean?" "Nothing," replied I,
"I was only joking." "Well, then, don't talk such nonsense, or I shall
send you out of the shop."

I had, however, it appeared, struck upon a chord which jarred, and all
the spirits of Mrs. St. Felix vanished at once. So Virginia and I wished
her a good-evening and returned home.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Some little Difference in the Proceeds of this Chapter, and my
former "Copper for Poor Jack, your Honor".

On our arrival at my mother's, I found a letter from Bramble, stating
that he would be at Greenwich in two days, and, further, informing me
that the honorable company had been pleased, in consequence of the
report made of our good behavior, to award to him the sum of two hundred
pounds, and to