But the Skipper went on, speaking lightly and cheerfully, as if talking of the weather.
"What pleasure to bring before the mind a picture of a family so charming! Of you, dear sir, in your gracious childhood, how endearing the image! how tenderly guarded, how fondly cherished here by your side the little sister?
Ah! the smiling picture, making glad the heart! This sister, Zenobia, let us say, grows up, after what happy childhood with such a brother needs for me not to say.

They are three, these children,--how must they love each other! But one brother goes early away from the home! In time comes for Zenobia, as to young maidens will come, a suitor, a foreigner, shall we say?
a man, like myself, of the sea?
May it not have been possible, dear sir ?" "A roving nobody!" the old man muttered, striving to pull himself together.

"A rascally"-- but here he stopped abruptly, for a stern hand was laid on his arm.
"I am speaking at this present, sir!" said the Skipper.

"Of this man I do not ask you the character.

I tell my story, if you please, in my own way.
"The mother, by this time, is dead.