King o' the Beach: A Tropic Tale - George Manville Fenn

And when the house was in sight there was a figure at an open door, and Carey dashed off, his father hanging back, while Robert Bostock, mariner, who was laden with luggage, placed it in the road, turned his back, sat upon it, and began to fill his pipe. This done, he struck a match, but somehow when he held it to the tobacco there was a sudden ciss, and the match went out.

“Now, how did that there ’bacco get wet like that?” he growled. “Dear! and she a-waiting all this time for the dear lad as didn’t come. Ah, it’s no use wishin’, but I do wish as my old mother was alive now to do that to me.”

“Bob ahoy!” came in a cheery shout. “Come on! Never mind the things. Here’s mother wants to shake your hand.”

“Ahoy, sir; hand it is,” shouted back the old fellow. Then in a growl, “S’pose I must go. Think on it, though; me havin’ a drop o’ salt water in one eye!”