"The one he used to talk so much about? What was her
name--Patience--Temp'rance--"

"Thankful--that's my name. I presume likely Uncle Abner did use to talk
about me. He always declared he thought as much of me as if I was his
own child."

There was an interval of silence. Mr. Cobb replaced his spectacles and
stared through them at his visitor. His manner was peculiar--markedly
so.

"I went mate for Cap'n Abner a good many v'yages," he said, after a
moment.

"Yes, I know you did."

"He--he told you so, I suppose."

"Yes."

"What else did he tell you; about--about me, I mean?"

"Why, nothin' 'special that I know of. Why? What was there to tell?"

"Nothin'. Nothin' much, I guess. Abner and me was sort of--sort of
chums and I didn't know but he might have said--might have told you
considerable about me. He didn't, hey?"

"No. He told me you was his mate, that's all."