"I love my duty, love my friend, Love truth and merit to defend, To moan their loss who hazard ran; I love to take an honest part. Love beauty with a spotless heart, By manners love to show the man; To sail through life by honor's breeze-- 'Twas all along of loving these First made me dote on lovely Nan." And so on, and so on, with gentle Anna and buxom Nan; and poor Fanny, who drowned herself in the waves near to the place where hung the trembling pines; and poor Peggy, who loved a soldier lad (a marine, without doubt); and bonny Kate, who lived happily afterwards with Tom Clueline. Ellen joined in the choruses with her sweet voice; but, strange to say, she had not been asked to sing until the Old Sailor, struck perhaps by a sudden remorse at monopolizing the harmony, called upon her for a song. Ellen, nothing loth, asked what song; and Joshua said,-- "Sing the song you learned of mother, Ellen." "'Bread-and-Cheese and Kisses?'" inquired Ellen. "Yes, 'Bread-and-Cheese and Kisses.' 'Tisn't quite a girl's song sir" (to the Old Sailor); "but it is a good song, and Ellen sings it nicely." "Hooray, then, for 'Bread-and-Cheese and Kisses!'" cried the Old Sailor, casting a glance of intense admiration at Ellen, who, without more ado, sang as follows:-- BREAD-AND-CHEESE AND KISSES. One day, when I came home fatigued, And felt inclined to grumble, Because my life was one of toil, Because my lot was humble, I said to Kate, my darling wife, In whom my whole life's bliss is, "What have you got for dinner, Kate?" "Why, bread-and-cheese and kisses!" Though worn and tired, my heart leaped up As those plain words she uttered. Why should I envy those whose bread Than mine's more thickly buttered? I said, "We'll have dessert at once." "What's that?" she asked. "Why, this is." I kissed her. Ah, what sweeter meal Than bread-and-cheese and kisses! I gazed at her with pure delight; She nodded and smiled gayly; I said, "My love, on such a meal I'd dine with pleasure, daily. When I but think of you, dear girl, I pity those fine misses Who turn their noses up and pout At bread-and-cheese and kisses. "And when I look on your dear form, And on your face so homely; And when I look in your dear eyes, And on your dress so comely; And when I hold you in my arms, I laugh at Fortune's misses. I'm blessed in you, content with you, And bread-and-cheese and kisses." Thus ended the happy day. CHAPTER IX. MINNIE AND HER SHELL.