In fact it was actually under the shadow of a big black-looking vessel which loomed large through the fog, and to and from which men were coming and going as usual.

With several of these the old woman interchanged some good-humoured chaff as she settled herself in her place, and bade me sit beside her.
"Tuck your legs under ye, agra! on that bit of an ould sack.

Tis what I wrap round me shoulders when the nights do be wet, as it isn't this evening, thank GOD! And there's the coffee for ye." "Mother," said I, "do you think you could sit so as to hide me for a few minutes?
All the money I have is in a bag round my neck, and I don't want strangers to see it." "Ye'll just keep it there, then," replied Biddy, irately, "and don't go an' insult me wid the show of it." And she turned her back on me, whilst I drank my coffee, and ate some excellent cakes, which formed part of her stock-in-trade.

One of these she insisted on my putting into my pocket "against the hungry hour." I thanked her warmly for the gift, whereupon she became mollified, and said I was kindly welcome; and whilst she was serving some customers, I turned round and looked at the ship.

Late as it was, people seemed very busy about her, rather more so than about any I had seen.