The interval betwixt them was perhaps forty feet; and Huish measured

it with his eye, and breathed a curse. He was already distressed with

labouring in the loose sand, and his arms ached bitterly from their

unnatural position. In the palm of his right hand, the jar was ready;

and his heart thrilled, and his voice choked as he began to speak.

Mr Hattwater,' said he, 'I don't know if ever you 'ad a mother...'

I can set your mind at rest: I had,' returned Attwater; 'and

henceforth, if I might venture to suggest it, her name need not recur in

our communications. I should perhaps tell you that I am not amenable to

the pathetic.'

'I am sorry, sir, if I 'ave seemed to tresparse on your private

feelin's,' said the clerk, cringing and stealing a step. 'At least, sir,

you will never pe'suade me that you are not a perfec' gentleman; I

know a gentleman when I see him; and as such, I 'ave no 'esitation in

throwin' myself on your merciful consideration. It IS 'ard lines, no

doubt; it's 'ard lines to have to hown yourself beat; it's 'ard lines to

ave to come and beg to you for charity.'

'When, if things had only gone right, the whole place was as good as

your own?' suggested Attwater. 'I can understand the feeling.'

You are judging me, Mr Attwater,' said the clerk, 'and God knows how

unjustly! THOU GAWD SEEST ME, was the tex' I 'ad in my Bible, w'ich my

The Ebb-Tide