"The light-keeper must have to stay up all night," he said, then, "to see that his light doesn't go out."
"Yes, Jacob," answered Captain Solomon, "he stays up all night, taking care of you and me. Or he looks out for his end of it. There are two or three of them—the light-keepers. And, in the daytime, he sees that his lamps are filled and his wicks trimmed and his brasses bright and his glasses polished. When night comes he lights his lamp, and he looks at it every little while to make sure that it is burning all right. If it wasn't, there might be a wreck."
Little Jacob stood and watched the light for a long time without saying anything. Captain Solomon stood and watched it, too.
"That is a very friendly light," said little Jacob, at last, drawing a long breath and smiling at the light. Captain Solomon couldn't see the smile, because it was dark; but he heard it in little Jacob's voice.
"It is, Jacob," said Captain Solomon, "a very friendly light."
"I guess it's my bed-time," said little Jacob. "Good-night, captain."
"Good-night, Jacob," said Captain Solomon. "By the time you're up, in the morning, we'll be almost in."
And little Jacob laughed happily and went down to bed.