_He needs no help except what Mr. Welland can give, still I'll do what I may._ Ben could see also the next voyage of the ketch _Artemis_. He would not be aboard--as Sam Tench had made clear, there was much to do, and Ben Cory the one to do it. A possible partnership with Riggs of Salem, for instance--it must be considered at least. Captain Heath would take _Artemis_ to New York, and some good man must be found to take Heath's place on the sloop _Hebe_. But next year, Ben thought, maybe he could go again on _Artemis_--maybe to Norfolk--maybe.... Then at some time, much later, maybe three or four good vessels fit for the passage around the Horn, even a charter from the Queen--not at all impossible, some years from now, if done in the right way. In the meanwhile---- "Now you are dreaming, Ben. I used to know that look, in Deerfield. But now when your mind's under sail I suppose it goes into places you've seen with your true eyes. And when you'd hear the sea you needn't bury an ear in the pillow and cover the other with the flat of your paw--well, Charity, what a fool he used to look that way! And how often was I tempted to shove the paw aside and blow in his ear--give him a real storm--you know? Never did, and can't now because he's grown big enough to give me a hiding, or he thinks he has." "It's true I was thinking a little of the seaways, but how a devil's name did you know it?" "He's much too wise a fox, Ben--it's those little pointed ears." "Charity, I meant to ask before now: Faith--is she--content?" "I believe so. Mr. Hoskison is a worthy man, and has been most kind to us." "What of that girl who--I mean--her name was Clarissa, was it not?" "My mother was obliged--that is, she...." "Without Charity's knowledge, Ben, Clarissa was sold to New York because there was no place for her at Dorchester." "Oh, as for _my_ knowledge--what difference--_damn_ it--oh, forgive me! I meant----" "Darling wench, in the presence of two scholars of the humanities you needn't alway be deferring to your Mama's judgment, and if you do, I will overlook your attainment of the years of decorum and paddle you. Clarissa should have been manumitted--you know it, would have done it had it been in your power, I know it, Ben knows it, and I dare say now and then your Mama knows it--this being a mad world, and it seems we live in it. Now I do prophesy: in a few years my little brother will be a man of affairs, and I myself intend to become filthy rich. As soon as we may, sweetheart, Ben or I will go to New York and Clarissa shall be bought free, so stop crying--Ben don't like it...." "Better so in my arm, Charity? Are you comfortable?" "Yes." "And I must be going, seeing I promised Mr. Welland I'd be back in Roxbury by the end of the afternoon. Medicines to be compounded, a visit he's to make this evening and wishes me to go with him, and more of the study that endeth never." "We can't keep you?" "No, dear." "If you must go, Ru, maybe I----"