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MARITIME RELICS
47
going out to take a clerkship in the tea business. I lived in China for a great many years. But I stopped for a night at Ingram Mansion—the night before the Gloria sailed—and I remember well that most gallant old house and two very charming young ladies—sisters of your grandfather—who entertained me with the most winning hospitality. There was a wealth of wisteria in bloom above the fine doorway, and I can quite easily see the young ladies standing, framed by it, on the portico as they waved their hands in farewell to their brother and your faithful servant.
[Jane at this point covertly peeped at the last page to see if there was any mention of the ship model, but, seeing nothing of it, hastily turned back.]
A great many years have not served to obliterate the delightful impression of that quiet town and its residents. On the long voyage out I acquired for your grandfather a very deep esteem and respect, and I learned much of as fine a family of shipowners and seamen as ever sailed in the finest of trades. I cannot tell you how much pleasure it gives to an old shellback such as myself to find among the thoughtless and forgetful younger generation any one so sincerely wrapped up in good old things as you, my dear young lady. Will you be so kind as to extend the regards of that probably forgotten young man of long ago to your aunts—I think they
