It was a sad experience for him, but it was an experience and tended to make him forget his own sorrow just a little.

Or, if not to forget, at least to think of and sympathize more keenly with the sorrows of others.
Somewhere, in England or Ireland or scattered over the wide world, there were women and children waiting for these men, waiting anxiously for news of their safe arrival in port, praying for them.

When he mentioned this thought to the townspeople they nodded philosophically and said yes, they "presumed likely." As Captain Zeb put it, "Most sailors are fools enough to get married, prob'ly this lot wa'n't any exception." It was no new thought to him or to any other dweller in that region.

It was almost a fixed certainty that, if you went to sea long enough, you were bound to be wrecked sometime or other.

The chances were that, with ordinary luck and good management, you would escape with your life.
Luck, good or bad, was the risk of the trade; good management was expected, as a matter of course.
Mr.Pepper made no more calls at the parsonage, and when the minister met him, at church or elsewhere, seemed anxious to avoid an interview.
"Well, Abishai," asked Ellery, on one of these occasions, "how are you getting on at home?
Has your sister locked you up again ?" "No, sir, she ain't," replied Kyan.