"You're a wee bit of a lad to be left alone in the world I know, but by the mercy of God you'll forget your trouble, for Time's a wonderful healer.

And there's better luck coming, lad, better luck coming." Thereupon he sought out the Captain of the schooner and inquired into Jimmy's worldly prospects.
"There's none to care for him," said the Captain, "and the best prospects he have be the poor house." "Will you leave him with me, then ?" asked Skipper Ed.

"I'll give the lad a good home, and teach him a bit, and he'll be fine company for me." "O' course I'll leave he with you, Skipper, and wonderful glad I'll be too that the lad's found a good home," said the Captain.
Then Skipper Ed returned to Jimmy.
"Lad," said he, "I'm looking for a partner, and it strikes me _you'll_ do.

How'd you like to be _my_ partner?
Look me over now, and see what you think of _me_.

How'd you like _me_ for a partner ?" Jimmy looked him over critically, through tear-stained eyes, but said nothing.
"Come now," urged Skipper Ed, getting down on his haunches that Jimmy might look straight into his face, "here we are, you and I, both alone in the world and both wanting partners.