God bless yer father; and God bless yer mother, too! Here's a hand what'll always give a warm welcome to the son of old Hanz Toodlebug--" "Then you knew my father?
I hope, sir, I may never do anything to lessen your respect for him." "Know'd him ?" resumed the captain.

"Yes, sir, and yer mother, too.

And when Captain Price Bottom says he know'd a man, he means it.

Your father and me was rivals!" Here he touched Tite on the elbow, and winked significantly.

"That is--well, it's rather a delicate subject--he courted yer mother, and so did I! There, sir, there's just what it is.
She was as trim a young craft then as ever spread sails, and as full of goodness and good looks." Captain Bottom again paused for a moment, shook his head despondingly, and placed his hand on his heart.