sort of man, in Mr. Hendren's opinion not exactly what you might call polished. Still, he followed a rough sort of trade, and this was a rough sort of boy, and Mr. Hendren didn't mind having a word with Alec—the name of the relation—and see what could be done in the matter. 

 "I don't know about that," said Mother.  "They might ill-use him, and he's been ill-used more than enough already." 

 "Quite so," said Mr. Hendren politely, "huffing" the Foreman Shunter. "Quite so, M'ria"—Mr. Hendren was a very old friend of the family—"I quite agree with you there. The sea's a rough trade—rough an' no mistake—Alec can tell you tales that would make your hair rise—but as I say, he's a rough boy—and even the 'igh seas is better than the Work'us." 

 "Anything is better than that," said Mother.  "All the same, I wouldn't like the poor child to be knocked about. You see, he's not very strong; he wants building up, and he's been used that crool by somebody that he's frit of his own shadow." 

 "Ah," said Mr. Hendren impressively. Impressiveness was Mr. Hendren's long suit. At that time, he was perhaps the most impressive man under sixty in Kentish Town.  "Ah," said Mr. Hendren, "I quite understand, M'ria. I'll speak to Alec the first thing tomorrer and see what he can do. Not to be knocked about—but the sea's the sea, you quite understand?" 

 "My great-uncle Dexter sailed twelve times round the Horn," said Mother with modesty. 

 "Did he so?" said Mr. Hendren.  "Twelve times. Before the mast?" 

 "Before the mast?" was a little too much for Mother, as Mr. Hendren intended it to be, having no doubt a reputation to keep up. 

 "I don't know about afore the mast," said Mother stoutly.  "I only know that great-uncle Dexter was terrible rough ... terrible rough." 

 "All sailors is terrible rough," said Mr. Hendren, politely "huffing" the Foreman Shunter again.  "Still, M'ria, I'll see what I can do with Alec ... although, mind you, as I say, Alec's not as much polish as some people." 

 "Great-uncle Dexter hadn't neither," said Mother.  "Foulest-mouthed man I ever heard in my life ... and that's saying a good deal."  And Mother looked volumes at the Foreman Shunter. 

 "That so?" said Mr. Hendren, tactfully, crowning his second king. "However ... 

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