"A first-rate glass, Jack" (I was oftener called Jack than Tom at that
time); "I never knew but one equal to it. Where did you get it?"
I don't exactly know why, but perhaps the mystery evident in the widow,
and the cautions I had received against Spicer, combined together,
induced me not to answer the question.
"It's odd," observed Spicer, who was now examining the outside of the
telescope; "I could almost swear to it." He then looked at the small
brass rim where the name had been, and perceived that it had been
erased. "Now I'm positive! Jack, where did you get this glass?"
"It was made a present to me," replied I.
"Come here," said Spicer, leading me apart from the others standing by.
"Now tell me directly," and Spicer spoke in an authoritative tone, "who
gave you this glass?"
I really was somewhat afraid of Spicer, who had gained much power over
me. I dared not say that I would not tell him, and I did not like to
tell a lie. I thought that if I told the truth I might somehow or
another injure Mrs. St. Felix, and I therefore answered evasively, "It
was sent to me as a present by a lady."
"Oh!" replied Spicer, who had heard of Sir Hercules and his lady, "so
the _lady_ sent it to you? It's very odd," continued he; "I could take
my oath that I've had that glass in my hand a hundred times."
"Indeed!" replied I. "Where?"
But Spicer did not answer me; he had fallen into one of his dark moods,
and appeared as if recalling former events to his mind. He still kept
possession of the glass, and I was afraid that he would not return it,
for I tried to take it softly out of his hand, and he would not let go.
He remained in this way about a minute, when I perceived my father and
Ben the Whaler coming up, at which I was delighted.
"Father," said I, as they came near, "come and try my new spy-glass."
Spicer started, and released the telescope, when I laid hold of it and
put it into my father's hands. As neither my father nor Ben would ever
speak to him, Spicer, with a lowering brow, walked away. After my father
had examined the glass and praised it, he very naturally asked me where
I obtained it. After what had passed with Spicer I was so fearful of his
discovering, by other people, by whom the glass had been given to me,
that I replied again, in the hearing of everybody, "A lady, father; you
may easily guess who."
"Well," replied my father, "I never thought that her ladyship could have
been so generous. I take it very kindly of her."
I was delighted at my father falling so easily into the mistake. As for
my mother and Virginia, they were neither of them present when Jane
brought the telescope to me, or I certainly should have stated, without
reservation, to whom I had been indebted. I hardly could decide whether
I would go to the widow and tell her what had occurred; but, upon some
reflection, as she had accused me of asking too many questions, and
might suppose that I wished to obtain her secrets, I determined upon
saying nothing about it.
For a week I occupied myself wholly with my telescope, and I became
perfectly master of it, or rather quite used to it, which is of some
importance. I avoided Spicer, always leaving the steps when I perceived
him approaching, although once or twice he beckoned to me. At the
expiration of the week a message was brought by a waterman from Philip
Bramble, stating that he should pass Greenwich in a day or two, being
about to take down a West Indiaman then lying below London Bridge. My
clothes were therefore then packed up in readiness, and I went to bid
farewell to my limited acquaintance.
I called upon old Nanny, who was now quite strong again. I had before
acquainted her with my future prospects.
"Well, Jack," says she, "and so you're going away? I don't think you
were quite right to give up a situation where you gained so many
halfpence every day, and only for touching your cap; however, you know
best. I shall have no more bargains after you are gone, that's certain.
But, Jack, you'll be on board of vessels coming from the East and West
Indies, and all other parts of the world, and they have plenty of pretty
things on board, such as shells, and empty bottles, and hard biscuit,
and bags of oakum; and, Jack, they will give them to you for nothing,
for sailors don't care what they give away when they come from a long
voyage; and so mind you beg for me as much as you can, that's a good
boy; but don't take live monkeys or those things, they eat so much. You
may bring me a parrot, I think I could sell one, and that don't cost
much to feed. Do you understand, Jack? Will you do this for me?"
"I don't know whether I can do all you wish, but depend upon it, mother,
I won't forget you."
"That's enough, Jack, you'll keep your word; and now, is there any nice
thing that I can give you out of my shop, as a keepsake, Jack?"
"Why, no, mother, I thank you--nothing."
"Think of something, Jack," replied old Nanny; "you must have
something."
"Well, then, mother, you know I like reading; will you give me the old
book that I was reading when I sat up with you one night?"
"Yes, Jack, and welcome; what book is it? I don't know--I can't see to
read large print without spectacles, and I broke mine many years ago."
"Why do you not buy another pair?"
"Another pair, Jack? Spectacles cost money. I've no money; and as I
never read, I don't want spectacles. Go in and fetch the book; it's
yours and welcome."
I went in and brought out the Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" which I
before mentioned. "This is it, mother."
"Yes, yes, I recollect now, it's a very pretty book. What's it about,
Jack? I can't see myself: never mind, take it, Jack, and don't forget
your promise."
I wished old Nanny good-by, and took the book home, which I gave into
Virginia's care, as I wished her to read it. The next morning, at
daybreak, I was summoned; the ship was dropping down the river. I bade
farewell to my little sister, who wept on my shoulder; to my mother, who
hardly condescended to answer me. My father helped me down with my
luggage, which was not very heavy; and Anderson and old Ben accompanied
us to the landing-steps; and having bid them all farewell, besides many
others of my friends who were there, I stepped into the boat sent for
me, and quitted Greenwich for my new avocation on the 6th of October,
1799, being then, as Anderson had calculated, precisely thirteen years
and seven months old.