"You can't think, sir, how you relieve my mind. To tell the truth, I
met him, less than an hour ago; and by his manner . . . But I had
better tell you how it happened: I knew, of course, that you had
interested yourself in Link and found a job for him. But after he'd
left the ship he never let us hear word of his doings. . . . Well,
passing through your town just now, I ran up against him. He was
coming along the street, and I recognised him on the instant; but all
of a sudden he turned and began to stare in at a shop-window--an
ironmonger's--giving me his back. I made sure, of course, that he
hadn't spied me; so I stepped up and said I, 'Hallo, Link, my lad!'
clapping a hand on his shoulder. He turned about, treated me to a
long stare, and says he, 'Aren't you makin' some mistake, mister?'
'Why,' says I, 'surely I haven't changed so much as all that since
the days I taught you vulgar fractions on board the old _Egeria_?
I'm Mr. Wilkins,' says I. 'Oh, are you?' says he. 'Then,
Mr. Wilkins, you can go back to hell and take 'em my compliments
there.' That's all he said, and he walked away down the street."

"That's queer," said Mr. Harris, polishing his spectacles. "Yes, he
came to me as gardener's boy--I thought it would be a pleasant change
after the ship; and he served his apprenticeship well. I remember
that in answer to my application the Secretary wrote: 'Of course we
prefer to train our lads to the sea; but when one has no aptitude for
it--'"

Mr. Harris paused, for the Schoolmaster was smiling broadly.

"Good Lord, sir!--if you'll excuse me. Link Andrew no aptitude for
the sea! Why, that lad's seamanship saved my life once: and, what's