"You have spoken well madam" was answered "And we thank you for
reminding us of our duty."

"One word more--and forgive the earnest heart from which it
comes"--said Mrs. Slade in a voice that trembled on the words she
uttered "I cannot help speaking, gentlemen! Think if some of you
be not entering the road wherein Joe Morgan has so long been
walking. Save him in heaven's name! but see that ye do not
yourselves become castaways!"

As she said this she glided through the door and it closed after
her.

"I don't know what her husband would say to that," was remarked
after a few moments of surprised silence.

"I don't care what HE would say, but I'll tell you what _I_ will
say" spoke out a man whom I had several times noticed as a rather
a free tippler "The old lady has given us capital advice, and I
mean to take it, for one. I'm going to try to save Joe Morgan,
and--myself too. I've already entered the road she referred to;
but I'm going to turn back. So good-night to you all; and if Simon
Slade gets no more of my sixpences, he may thank his wife for it--
God bless her!"

And the man drew his hat with a jerk over his forehead, and left
immediately.

This seemed the signal for dispersion, and all retired--not by way