"Why, how, with such a fine craft in view, you could ever have sailed in the wake of such a little privateer as--but I must not mention her-- never mind, don't answer me that;--but another question--when are you going to be spliced?" "Very soon, I hope; but I really don't exactly know: all I can say is the sooner the better." "And so say I. Shall I bring up the subject on the plea of my leave being only for ten days?" "Yes, father, I wish you would, as it is really a good reason to allege for its taking place immediately." "Tom, my dear boy," said old Anderson, "from what I can perceive, you have great reason to be thankful in having obtained this young woman for your future partner in life. I admire her exceedingly, and I trust in Heaven that you will be happy." "I ought to be," replied I, "and grateful also, particularly to you, to whom, under Providence, I am so much indebted." "If the seed is sown upon good ground, it will always yield a good harvest, Tom. You are a proof of it, so thank Heaven, and not me. I wish to tell you what your father has mentioned to me. The fact is, Tom, he is in what may be called a false position at Greenwich. He is a pensioner, and has now sufficient not to require the charity, and he thinks that he ought not to avail himself of it, now that you have made him independent; but if he leaves the hospital and remains at Greenwich, he and your mother would not agree well together; they are very good friends at a certain distance, but I do not think, with her high notions, that they could ever live together in the same house. He says that he should like to live either with you or near you; and I think myself, now that he is become so very steady a character, it does require your consideration whether you ought not to permit him. He will be a very good companion for Bramble, and they will get on well together. I do not mean to say that it might not be more agreeable if he were to remain at Greenwich, but he is your father, Tom, and you should make some sacrifice for a parent." "As far as I am concerned, Anderson, I most gladly consent. Bramble is to live with us--that is arranged, and if no objections are raised by others you may be sure of my acceding, and, indeed, if objections should be raised, of persuading all I can." "You can do no more, Tom," replied Anderson; "nor can more be expected." This point was very satisfactorily arranged. Bramble and Bessy both gave their cheerful consent, and it was settled that as soon as we had a house to receive him, my father should quit Greenwich, and live with us. The arguments of my father, added to the persuasions of Bramble and me, had their due weight, and on the 13th of September, 1807, Bessy and I exchanged our vows, and I embraced her as my own. CHAPTER FIFTY TWO. FINALE.