human
Why, Jack! exclaimed Miles, as the hearty tar wrung his hand,
gpt
Ah, who indeed? an' I may say ditto.
human
I'm _very_ glad to see you, Molloy, for, to say truth, I thought I had seen the last of you when we parted in the troop-ship. I've often thought of you since, and of our first evening together in the--the-- what was its name?
gpt
The _Sailors' Welcome_--man alive! I wonder you've forgot it. Blessin's on it! _I_ ain't likely to forget it. Why, it was there, (did I ever tell you?) the wery night arter I met you, that a messmate took me to the big hall, back o' the readin'-room. It's no use me tryin' fur to tell you all I heard in that there big hall, but when I come out--blow'd if I didn't sign the pledge right away, an' I ain't took a drop o' grog since!
human
Glad to hear it, Jack, for, to say truth, I never saw the evil of grog so clearly as I have since coming out here and seeing strong stout men cast down by it in dozens,--many of them kind-hearted, right-thinking men, whom I would have thought safe from such a thing. Indeed I have more than half a mind to join the Good Templars myself.
gpt
Young man, said Molloy, sternly,
human
But I said that my mind was _more_ than half made up,
gpt
Now lookee here, rejoined the sailor earnestly,
human
But you forget I'm only a landlubber who, according to you, is fit for only half-an-half measures,
gpt
No matter, returned the sailor, with deepening earnestness,
human
Well, I _do_ promise--the very first time I get the chance; and that will be to-morrow night, for our new parson has started temperance meetings, and he is a great teetotaller.
gpt
An' you promise to stick to it?
human
When I give a promise I _always_ stick to it!
gpt
Right you are, lad. Give us your flipper!