"No, you don't. Let me tell you about it. You have done something which fills me with gratitude to you. I want to do something to express that gratitude. I don't know that I can do it in any other way just now than by making you a little present. I don't mean to pay you."
"It looks like that."
"No it don't look a bit like it. Do you think I value my daughter's life at no more than a hundred dollars?"
"I know you do, captain."
"If I expected to pay you for what you have done, I should give you every dollar I have in the world, and every dollar which my property would bring if it were sold; and then I should feel that you had not half got your due."
"I don't care about any money, sir," persisted Noddy.
"Let me make you a present, then. It would make me feel better to do something for you."
"I'm sure I would do anything to accommodate you."
"Then take the money."
Noddy took it very reluctantly, and felt just as though he was stealing it. Mr. Watts joined with the captain in arguing the matter, and he finally felt a little better satisfied about it. When he realized that he was the honest possessor of so large a sum, he felt like a rich man, and could not help thinking of the pleasure it would afford him to pour all these gold coins into Bertha's lap, and tell how he had won them.