It seemed as if everybody relied on every one else's sympathy in that hour of great joy.
'I ax pardon, but if you'd gie me just a bit of elbow-room for a minute like, I'd hold my babby up, so that he might see daddy's ship, and happen, my master might see him. He's four months old last Tuesday se'nnight, and his feyther's never clapt eyne on him yet, and he wi' a tooth through, an another just breaking, bless him!'
One or two of the better end of the Monkshaven inhabitants stood a little before Molly and Sylvia; and as they moved in compliance with the young mother's request, they overheard some of the information these ship-owners had received from the boatman.
'Haynes says they'll send the manifest of the cargo ashore in twenty minutes, as soon as Fishburn has looked over the casks. Only eight whales, according to what he says.'
'No one can tell,' said the other, 'till the manifest comes to hand.'
'I'm afraid he's right. But he brings a good report of the Good Fortune. She's off St Abb's Head, with something like fifteen whales to her share.'
'We shall see how much is true, when she comes in.'
'That'll be by the afternoon tide to-morrow.'
'That's my cousin's ship,' said Molly to Sylvia. 'He's specksioneer on board the Good Fortune.'
An old man touched her as she spoke—