k; 'the Frenchies have
got my old leg, and much good may it do 'em. The old neighbours have
been in, making a deal o' fuss over me, but I tells 'em to keep their
pity for them that wants it more, and I've one less leg for the
rheumaticks to get hold of,' and the old sailor laughed at his own joke
like a storm of wind in the rigging.

'And now you've come to settle down at Oakfield?' said Angelica.

'Ay, ay, miss, thanks to the captain, the best officer that ever trod
quarter-deck, bless his heart. A hot time he'll be giving the
"froggies," I'll warrant him, so he and the old _Mermaid_ be getting
any work to do.'

'I'm afraid you'll find it rather dull here after where you've been,'
said Betty.

'Not I, missy,' was the cheery answer; 'places is much as you makes 'em
all the world over, and it's fair and right the old hulk should put
into port and see the young craft putting out. I'll find enough to
keep me from rusting, never you fear.'

'My nephew, Master Godfrey, likes stories better than anything,' said
Angel, putting the little boy forward; 'will you tell him about some of
the things you have seen, while I talk to Martha?'

Godfrey had been watching the sailor with earnest eyes all the time he
talked, and now he came up readily and sat down on the bench beside
him; Betty, who was devoted to animals, ran down to ask after the cows
and coax them with cabbages, and Angelica went to Martha in the
kitchen. A woman in the village was ill, and she wanted to consult
Martha about what to take to her. It took a good time to talk it over,
and when she came out again the twilight was deepening. Hezekiah still
sat on the bench outside, and Betty was sitting by him, while Pete,
Patty, Nancy, and their father stood silently listening. As for
Godfrey he sat as if he had not moved since she left him, and his eyes
never left the sailor's face, except to glance at what the old man was
drawing on the ground with his stick, the line of the ships in a great
sea-fight. Long afterwards Angel remembered it all, as one goes back
to scenes which seemed of no importance at the time but were really the
beginning of great events--the autumn evening, with the damp heavy
scent on the air, the white mist clinging to the low ground, while
above the sky cleared for a starry night, the late monthly roses on the
house, the old sailor and his little group of listeners.

'Godfrey,' she said softly, 'it is time to go home.'

The little bo