"A wife?"
John Effingham gasped for breath, and one might have mistaken him, at the moment, for the sufferer.
"None: I am without parent, brother, sister, wife, or child. My nearest relatives are in this ship."
"I am of little value; but, such as I am, my mother will miss me. We can have but one mother, sir."
"This is very true. If you have any commission or message for your mother, Mr. Monday, I shall have great satisfaction in attending to your wishes."
"I thank you, sir; I know of none. She has her notions on religion, and--I think it would lessen her sorrow to hear that I had a Christian burial."
"Set your heart at rest on that subject: all that our situation will allow, shall be done."
"Of what account will it all be, Mr. Effingham? I wish I had drunk less, and thought more."
John Effingham could say nothing to a compunction that was so necessary, though so tardy.
"I fear we think too little of this moment in our health and strength, sir."