"Taking them altogether, sir," said Dan, "I don't see how they could be worse. We have only one consolation."
"What is that, Dan?" asked the Old Sailor eagerly, with a faint hope that it was something tangible.
"Our faith in Jo, and our knowledge that he is good and true, as we have always known him to be. Poor Jo!"
The Old Sailor groaned.
"You can't live on that, Dan," he said.
"No, sir," replied Dan with rare simplicity; "but it is a great comfort, nevertheless."
The Old Sailor pressed Dan's hand.
"'Tisn't so bad a world," he murmured more to himself than to Dan, "despite its injustice." Then aloud: "What would be the best thing for all of you to do, Dan, under the circumstances?
"There is but one thing, sir; and I might as well wish for cheese from the moon as wish for that."
"Perhaps not, Dan, perhaps not. Tell your wish."