I was to let nothing hinder me from coming home at once, as I valued the love and blessing of my affectionate father.
My mother's letter was infinitely tender, and it was curiously strong.
Not a reproach or a lamentation, but some good counsel, shrewd as well as noble, and plenty of home news.

Only at the end did she even speak of herself: "You see, my son, I have never had men belonging to me who earned their livelihood in foreign countries and by dangerous ways, but you may trust your old mother to learn to do and bear what other mothers go through with.

She will learn to love the sea because you are a sailor, but, Jack, you must always give her a woman's bitter-sweet privilege of saying good-bye, and of packing up your things.

I am getting the time over till you come back with socks.

I am afraid they will blister your feet.