dy to go home, and desired me to accompany him. As we
walked along together, he questioned me about my adventures, seeming
rather incredulous when I assured him that I had not intentionally run
away to sea.

"Well, well, Dick, we'll let by-gones be by-gones. I shall be glad to
see you act rightly in future."

I inquired if Aunt Deb was still with him.

"She returned to your father soon after you disappeared, and has only
lately come back to pay me another visit," he answered.

I confess I wished she had stayed at home. However, I had to face her,
though I felt very nervous about the interview.

"I don't think she will recognise you, and I won't tell her who you
are," he said, as I entered the house.

We went into the drawing-room, where we found Aunt Deb seated in a
high-backed chair.

"Here's a young gentleman come from the sea. He's come to dine with
us," said Mr Butterfield.

Aunt Deb rose from her seat, gave me a stiff bow, and sank down again on
her seat. "I have no affection for the sea, or generally for those
whose profession it is to sail upon it," she said, looking hard at me.
"There are exceptions to every rule, and I hope that this young
gentleman will show that he doesn't possess the objectionable manners
and customs of sailors."

"I trust you will not be mistaken in the favourable opinion you form of
me, Madam," I said, as stiffly as I could. "But I venture to think that
you are prejudiced against seafaring men. Let me assure you, however,
that there are many estimable persons among them, though there are some
as bad as any to be found on shore. You once had a nephew who went away
to sea. I hope that you don't class him among the bad ones."

"I class him among the very worst," she exclaimed. "He ran off without
leave, without wishing me, his kind aunt, farewell, or letting us know
where he had gone, or what had become of him. He made us all very
miserable, and broke his poor mother's heart."

"My mother dead!" I exclaimed. "Oh, don't say that, don't say that!
And I killed her."

"Who are you?" cried Aunt Deb, starting up and looking me in the face.

"Yes; I do believe that you are that graceless young monkey, Dick!"

"I am indeed your nephew, Dick. I am indeed heartily sorry for all I
have done, and shall never forgive myself if my conduct was the cause of
my mother's death. Did I not mistake what you said? Oh, Aunt Deb, do
tell me is she really dead?" and I grasped her hand