It was perhaps the soothing touch of her hand that caused Dick to fall asleep, and Miss Jelliffe, with cramped limbs, rose to her feet.

“See how quietly he is resting now,” she said.  “I should think that you would feel ever so proud of what you have done.  I’m sure I hope you do.”

I had taken charge of the tiller, upon which she also laid her hand.  I dare say that I was a little surprised, and did not answer at once.

“I don’t think that I ever realized before how much just one man may accomplish,” she continued.

“I am afraid that in my profession most of us who try to be honest with ourselves are inclined to deplore how very little we can achieve,” I replied.

“No man has any right to be entirely satisfied with his efforts,” she declared, “and I think all this is a magnificent thing to be devoting one’s energies to.”

“I am glad if I am sometimes able to justify an indulgent faculty for having granted me a parchment permitting me to prune my fellow mortals, as Holmes puts it,” I answered.

She looked at me, seriously, and shook her pretty head.

“You are not speaking at all seriously,” she said.

Dora has accused me of flippancy, and this young lady states that I don’t talk seriously.  Yet a fellow has a right to dislike the danger of being unjustifiably placed in the category of meritorious people.  I couldn’t very well tell Miss Jelliffe that I was doing all this at the bidding of a little nurse with whom I am mightily in love.  Dora has as yet given me no right to speak of her as my affianced.

“What I wish to know is how you are going to be paid for your work in this case,” pursued Miss Jelliffe, “and for the things you have given to these people?  And who pays for this boat and the wages of the men?  Of course if I am indiscreet you must say so.”

“I am the owner, in perspective, of absolutely unlimited codfish, Miss Jelliffe,” I told her.  “Some day these people will bury me under an avalanche of quintals.  Still, it is also possible that they may come on the installment plan.  One hundred and twelve pounds of fish may seem an unusual fee for a rather protracted case, but consider how far it will go in the feeding of a lone bachelor.  Even though it may be small recompense it is promised with an honest and kindly heart.  I am led to expect huge amounts when some of the men get back from the Labrador, and still more will flood my coffers if the shore catch is good and all sorts of other wonderful things happen.  These people actually mean it, and worry themselves considerably over the matter.  Some of the idiots actually refuse to send for me for the specious reason that they have nothing to pay me with, and permit themselves to die off in the silliest way, without my assistance.”

“Of course all that is mostly nonsense,” said the young lady, decisively, “but—­but I don’t exactly see how you manage to get along.  Of course just one glance such as I have seen that poor Dick give you ought to be a nice reward for any man, but then that sort of thing doesn’t exactly provide...”