"Why, Jack," said he, "I can't help you, for it is bad times with me
just now; indeed, I could help you but little if times were ever so
good--I've too many children of my own; but look ye, here's a good long
piece of four-inch, which I picked up, and it's well worth a shilling.
I'll give it you (for I do owe you something), and do you take it to old
Nanny. She's a queer body; but suppose you try whether she'll let you
have the money. She can if she chooses, and, as you have dealt with her
so long, perhaps she will, if you promise to lay some by every week, and
repay her."

This idea had never occurred to me, for I knew old Nanny was very close,
and drove very hard bargains with me; however, I thanked Freeman for his
piece of rope and piece of advice, and when we landed I determined, at
all events, I would try.

I have before mentioned old Nanny, who kept a marine store, and to whom
I used to sell whatever I picked up on the beach. She was a strange old
woman, and appeared to know everything that was going on. How she gained
her information I cannot tell. She was very miserly in general; but it
was said she had done kind things in one or two instances. Nobody knew
her history: all that anybody knew was that she was Old Nanny. She had
no kith or kin that she ever mentioned; some people said she was rich,
if the truth were known; but how are we to get at the truth in this
world?

I was soon at old Nanny's store, with the piece of rope coiled over my
arm.

"Well, Jack, what have you got here? a piece of good junk? no, it is