I've only got one child as is still dependent on me, thank God, and no doubt your executors will feel it their duty to do the right thing by the old woman." His solemnity impressed me.
"Mr.Goyles," I said, "be honest with me.

Is there any hope, in any weather, of getting away from this damned hole ?" Captain Goyles's kindly geniality returned to him.
"You see, sir," he said, "this is a very peculiar coast.

We'd be all right if we were once out, but getting away from it in a cockle-shell like that--well, to be frank, sir, it wants doing." I left Captain Goyles with the assurance that he would watch the weather as a mother would her sleeping babe; it was his own simile, and it struck me as rather touching.

I saw him again at twelve o'clock; he was watching it from the window of the "Chain and Anchor." At five o'clock that evening a stroke of luck occurred; in the middle of the High Street I met a couple of yachting friends, who had had to put in by reason of a strained rudder.

I told them my story, and they appeared less surprised than amused.