I felt glad that I had
saved him; but although I could not exactly understand my own feelings
at the time, I am ashamed to say that my pleasure was not derived from
having done a good action, so much as indulging a feeling of revenge in
having put one under an obligation who had treated me ill; this arose
from my proud spirit, which my mother could not check. So you see,
William, there was very little merit in what I had done, as, after I
had done it, I indulged those feelings which I ought to have checked."
"I think I could not have helped feeling the same, Ready, under such
circumstances," replied William.
"The impulse which induced me to act was good," replied Ready; "but the
feeling which I indulged in afterwards took away the whole merit of the
deed. I am stating what I believe to be the truth; and an old man like
me can look upon the past without bias, but not without regret. Mr.
Masterman made but a short visit; he told my mother that he would now
take care of me and bring me up to the business of a ship-builder as
soon as I was old enough to leave school, and that in the meantime he
would pay all my expenses. My poor mother was very grateful, and shed
tears of joy; and when Mr.
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