gue of a hard day's work. When you lie down at night so
dead beat that you could n't do more, you 'll feel that you 've earned
your rest, and you 'll not lie awake with misgivin's and fancies, but
you 'll sleep with a good conscience, and arise refreshed the next
mornin'."

"Alfred and I settled it all between us last night," said the doctor.
"There was but one point we could not arrange to our satisfaction. We
are largely indebted to you--"

"Stop her!" cried the Colonel, as though he were giving the word from
the paddle-box of a steamer,--"stop her! I ain't in a humor to be angry
with any one. I feel as how, when the world goes so well as it has done
lately with us all, that it would be main ungrateful to show a peevish
or discontented spirit, and I don't believe that there 's a way to rile
me but one,--jest one,--and you 've a-hit on't Yes, sir, you have!"

Quackinboss began his speech calmly enough, but before he finished it
his voice assumed a hard and harsh tone very rare with him.

"Remember, my dear and true-hearted friend," broke in Alfred, "that it's
only of one debt we are eager to acquit ourselves. Of all that we owe
you in affection and in gratitude, we are satisfied to stand in your
books as long as we live."

"I ain't a-goin' to square accounts," said the Colonel; "but if I was, I
know well that I'd stand with a long balance ag'in' me. Meat and
drink, sir, is good things, but they ain't as good for a man as liberal
thoughts, kind feel-in's, and a generous trust in one's neighbor. Well,
I 've picked up a little of all three from that young man there, and
a smatterin' of other things besides that I 'd never have lamed when
barking oak in the bush."

Old Layton shook his head in dissent, and muttered,--

"You may cancel the bond, but we cannot forget the debt."

"Let me arbitrate between you," said Winthrop.

"Leave the question at rest till this day twelvemonth. Let each give his
word not to approach it; and then time, that will have taught us many a
thing in the mean while, will supply the best expedient."

They gave their hands to each other in solemn pledge, and not a word was
uttered, and the compact was ratified.

"We shall leave this for England to-night," said the doctor.

"Not, surely, till you come as far as Milan first?" asked Winthrop.

"He's right,--he 's quite right!" said Quackinboss. "If a man has a
Polar voyage afore him, it 's no way to harden his constitution by
passin' a wi