"I'm beginning to feel old," said the captain, "old and lonely. Changes like this bring it home to one."
He took out his pouch, and shaking his head solemnly began to fill his pipe again.
"You ought to follow my example," said Mr. Truefitt, eagerly.
"Too old," said the captain.
"Nonsense!" said the other. "And the older you get, the lonelier you'll feel. Mind that!"
"I shall go and live with my boys and girls when I leave the sea," said the captain.
"They'll probably be married themselves by that time," said his comforter.
He rose, and, going to an old corner cupboard, took out a bottle of whiskey and a couple of glasses and put them on the table. The captain, helping himself liberally, emptied his glass to Miss Willett.
"She's coming to tea on Friday, with her mother," said Mr. Truefitt.
Captain Trimblett took some more whiskey and solemnly toasted Mrs. Willett. He put his glass down, and lighting his pipe, which had gone out, beamed over at his friend.