My old woman tells me as you have a regular name as a fighter, and that you have given a lesson to many a bully in the neighbourhood.

Altogether, there is a lot in your favour, and I don't see why you should not pull through all right; at any rate, even should the worst come to the worst, and you do get news, somehow, that your poor father has gone down, I am sure it will be better for your mother than going on as she has done for the last six years, just wearing herself out with anxiety." "I am sure it will, Ben.

I can tell you that it is as much as I can do, sometimes, not to burst out crying when I see her sitting, by the hour, with her eyes open, but not seeing anything, or moving as much as a finger--just thinking, and thinking, and thinking.
"I wish we were going out in your ship, Ben." "I wish you was, lad; but it will be five or six weeks before we are off again.

Anyhow, the ship you are going in--the Madras--is a fine craft, and the captain bears as high a character as anyone in the Company's fleet.
"Well, lad, I hope that it will all turn out well.

If I could have talked the lingo like a native, I would have been glad to have gone with you, and taken my chances.