For what is the noblest of all things in man--as I bitterly learned thereafter, and already had some guesses?
Not the power of moving multitudes with eloquence or by orders; not the elevation of one tribe through the lowering of others, nor even the imaginary lift of all by sentiments as yet above them: there may be glory in all of these, but the greatness is not with them.
It remains with those who behave like Firm, and get their noses broken.
However, I did not know those things at that time of life, though I thought it right for every man to be brave and good; and I could not help asking who the young lady was, as if that were part of the heroism.
The Sawyer, who never was unready for a joke, of however ancient quality, gave a great wink at Firm (which I failed to understand), and asked him how much the young lady was worth.

He expected that Firm would say, "Five hundred thousand dollars"-- which was about her value, I believe--and Uncle Sam wanted me to hear it; not that he cared a single cent himself, but to let me know what Firm could do.
Firm, however, was not to be led into any trap of that sort.

He knew me better than the old man did, and that nothing would stir me to jealousy, and he quite disappointed the Sawyer.
"I have never asked what she is worth," he said, with a glance of contempt at money; "but she scarcely seems worth looking at, compared--compared with certain others." In the distance I saw the young lady again, attempting no attraction, but walking along quite harmlessly, with the talkative negro after her.
It would have been below me to pursue the subject, and I waited for others to re-open it; but I heard no more about her until I had been for more than a week at sea, and was able again to feel interest.

Then I heard that her name was Annie Banks, of the firm of Heniker, Banks, and Co., who owned the ship I sailed in.
But now it was nothing to me who she was, or how beautiful, or how wealthy, when I clung for the last time to Uncle Sam, and implored him not to forget me.

Over and over again he promised to be full of thoughts of me, even when the new mill was started, which would be a most trying time.