“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.”