But go on he did, far into the night, while the old man here and there
nodded his understanding, or gave a timely word of encouragement.
Until it had all come out, and he slumped back in the chair,
exhausted, his face wet with tears.
Then without further speech the old man rose. And taking down a candle
from the mantle he showed him to the bedroom, where he gave him his
own bed to sleep in. Then with the young man safely at rest, he
returned to the fire to think through all that he had heard, and
decide what he must do to help him.
Because this same weather-beaten mariner, who was never to be seen
making dramatic gestures at the church, or heard to raise his voice in
righteous patriotism at the tavern, who himself had so little in the
world, was then and there willing to risk it all to restore a single
life to fullness. Without being asked, or telling himself that he was
good or kind to do so, he felt the simple, organic stirrings of
compassion in his aged heart. And expecting no greater reward than the
warmth of the feeling itself, he determined to do all he could to
guide this lad back to safety and freedom.
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