Blair, there may be something in Mr. Ferrier's idea after
all. I believe that sweet, simple stories, or poetry, or pictures, would
please the men. See how pleased that Great Grimsby man was with the
girl's picture-book that you gave him. I'm almost converted. Besides,
now I remember it, I heard a gentleman who had been public orator at
Cambridge make a crowd of East-End people cry by reading 'Enoch
Arden'--of all the incredible things in the world."
"Thank you, madam; and when I have got that hospital for you, I shall
insist on having one room for pleasure, and pleasure alone; and I'll
take good care my patients are not disturbed in any way. Fullerton is
already on our side, so you and I will take Blair in hand, and curb that
unruly scepticism of his. He is a most unblushing, scoffing sceptic, is
he not, madam?"
Blair shook his jolly sides and rose, muttering something about a
fahscinating young puppy;--whereby it may be perceived that he was
thinking of mocking Tom. The night was splendid, and when a sharp air of
wind set all the smacks gliding, our voyagers had once more an
experience that is one of the most memorable for those to whom it comes
seldom. The seaman tramps smartly; cocks an eye at the topsail, swings
round, and rolls back till he is abreast of the wheel; then _da capo_,
and so on all night. But the reflective landsman gathers many sheaves
for the harvest of the soul. Happy is he if he learns to know what the
dense seaman's life is like.
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