"Where did he live?" asked Rose, as softly as if speaking of one she had known and loved.
"Over yonder." And Joel pointed to a little brown house on the hillside.
"Are his mother and Hetty there?"
"Hetty married a number of years ago; but the old lady is there."
"And you are visiting her?"
"I live with her. You see Tom was all she had; and, when Hetty left, it was only natural that I tried to take Tom's place. Can't never fill it of course; but I do what I can, and she's comfortable."
"So she is the 'old mother' who thinks so much of you? Well she may," said Rose, giving him her brightest smile.
"Yes, she's all I've got now. Couldn't do no less, could I, seein' how much Tom done for me?" answered the man, with a momentary quiver of emotion in his rough voice.
"You're a trump!" said Uncle Ben, emphatically.
"Thanky, sir. Starboard, if you please. I don't care to get into the rapids just here."