"Never, to my knowledge," answered the lieutenant, with easy self-possession. "I was quite sure I had seen you before." "Possibly; I do not remember it, however." "If I had met you without the favor of an introduction, I should certainly have claimed the honor of your acquaintance." "I should have been proud to be so claimed, but I must confess you would have had the advantage of me." "Of course, I must be mistaken, as you suggest." "It is not unlikely that we have met in some ante-room where we were dancing attendance on the powers that be, in search of employment; but I am quite sure, Mr. Somers, that I should have been proud and happy to number you among my friends." "It is not too late now," said the commodore. "Certainly not. I should be but too happy to have as my friend one who has served his country so faithfully," added Mr. Pillgrim, as he bowed gracefully to Somers, "especially as I understand we are appointed to the same ship." "Indeed!" "I am ordered to the Chatauqua." "So am I." "Then, Mr. Pillgrim, you will take care of our Prodigy; you will be excellent friends, I trust," said Kate, beginning very impulsively in her old way, and suddenly checking herself when her resolution to be "proper" interposed itself. "What is the matter, Kate? Have you and Mr. Somers had a falling out?" demanded the commodore. "O, no, father." "You talk as though you had had a quarrel, and for a moment had forgotten to be savage." "We have had no quarrel, pa," replied Kate, blushing. "I was going to be saucy, but ma says I must not be saucy, and I shall not be saucy any more. I only hoped the two gentlemen who are going to live together in the same ship would be good friends." "Of course they will. Officers never quarrel." "Perhaps they don't; but they are not always as good friends as I hope these gentlemen will be," laughed Kate. "Perhaps he will be my friend for your sake, if he is not for mine," added Pillgrim. "I do not wish that. I don't like to have anybody do anything for my sake, unless it be to take paregoric when I am sick." "I trust I shall not be paregoric to him," said Pillgrim. "Then he will not take you for my sake." "As Lieutenant Pillgrim is my superior officer, I should be likely to court his good will, and prize his friendship very highly. If we are not friends, I am sure it will not be my fault." At this moment the dinner bell rang; and although Somers did not feel intimate enough with the family to invite himself to dine, he was easily prevailed upon to remain, and gallantly gave his arm to Mrs. Portington, as Kate, for some wayward reason of her own, had already seized upon that of Lieutenant Pillgrim.