“Hester, sir, chief water tender.”
“Go to my office, Hester; I’ll see you alone about Collins.”
The captain walked aft to his office. “This is a queer proceeding,” muttered Mr. Graham, looking the surprise he felt. Then he turned kindly to Collins, and said: “What is the last news you have had of your wife?”
“She is very sick, sir; the crisis is to occur in two or three days.”
“I hope she’ll come out all right, Collins; I am sorry I was so hard on you at Newport News.”
“Thank you, sir, and for your kind words a few minutes ago. I know I was very wrong but I hope I’ll have the chance to redeem myself.”
“I hope so.” Mr. Graham looked around, wondering that the captain should have thought it necessary to have talked in private with Hester. Presently the captain and Hester came forward, and the former said to Collins: “Collins, you yielded to wild impulses but you were under a great grief and strain, and you did what you could to undo your wrong act. I don’t excuse you for that, but I shall suspend action; and further, in view of all of the circumstances and the executive’s recommendation, I shall remit the remaining days of your confinement and restore you to duty. Mr. Graham, you’ll see that’s carried out.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, Collins, the officers of a ship have the happiness and comfort of the enlisted men under them at heart. And we want and must have their hearty good-will and coöperation in their work aboard. I have the greatest sympathy for you in the trouble you have had and I believe you will prove yourself a valuable man.”
Collins looked up with startled eyes. He could hardly believe he was hearing aright.