Masterman went away, she embraced me, and
said that now she was happy, as I should have a profession on shore and
not go to sea. I must do justice to Mr. Masterman; he kept his word and
sent money to my mother, so that she became quite cheerful and
comfortable, and everyone congratulated her, and she used to fondle me,
and say, it was all through me that she was relieved from her
distress."
"How happy that must have made you, Ready!" said William.
"Yes, it did, but it made me also very proud. Strange to say, I could
not conquer my dislike to Mr. Masterman; I had nourished the feeling
too long. I could not bear that my mother should be under obligations
to him, or that he should pay for my schooling; it hurt my foolish
pride, young as I then was; and although my mother was happy, I was
not. Besides, as I was put to a better school, and was obliged to
remain with the other boys, I could no longer run about the wharfs, or
go on board the vessels, as before. I did not see then, as I do now,
that it was all for my good but I became discontented and unhappy,
merely because I was obliged to pay attention to my learning, and could
no longer have my own way.
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