made me feel as if the tears would come in spite of me.

"And this is the man," I said to myself, "whom I thought I should be
able to teach! Well, the wisest learn most, and I may be useful to
him after all."

As I said nothing, the old man resumed--

"For you see, sir, it is not always a body feels he has a right to
spend his ha'pence on baccay; and sometimes, too, he 'aint got none
to spend."

"In the meantime," I said, "here is some that I bought for you as I
came along. I hope you will find it good. I am no judge."

The old sailor's eyes glistened with gratitude. "Well, who'd ha'
thought it. You didn't think I was beggin' for it, sir, surely?"

"You see I had it for you in my pocket."

"Well, that IS good o' you, sir!"

"Why, Rogers, that'll last you a month!" exclaimed his wife, looking
nearly as pleased as himself.

"Six weeks at least, wife," he answered. "And ye don't smoke
yourself, sir, and yet ye bring baccay to me! Well, it's just like
yer Master, sir."

I went away, resolved that Old Rogers should have no chance of