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“I’ve been cruising in boats five and forty years,” said John. “I were out two days and a night with t’ Bonnie Lass when she were lost on t’ Bristle Rocks, and us brought in only two of her crew alive. And I was out on t’ ice in t’ blizzard when Jim Warren drove off, and us brought he back dead to his wife next day. But this was the worst of all. As us passed t’ rocky shoal, it seemed only a few minutes since us capsized on it; and I knowed Ned and Willie must be right alongside. As us passed Snarly Bight, out of which t’ puff came, us thought of t’ boys singing their little songs, and know’d that they should be with us now; and when t’ Lone Point loomed up, round which youse turn to make our harbour, us all sort of wished one more puff would come along and finish t’ job properly. For it wouldn’t have been hard to join t’ children again, but to face t’ women without ’em seemed more’n us could do.

“How to break the news us had talked a dozen times, but never got no nearer what to say. As us ran in at last for t’ stage, us could see that Mother had hoisted t’ flag t’ Company gived we t’ year us bought furs for they, and that Grannie was out waiting for us on t’ landwash.

“All I remembers was that scarce a word was spoke. They know’d it. I believe they know’d it before they seed t’ boat. If only them had cried I’d have been able to say something. But ne’er a word was spoke. So I says, ‘Jim, go up and pull t’ flag down quick. Us has no right to having t’ flags flying for we.’

“Then Grannie, she gets her voice, and she says, ‘No, Jimmie, don’t you do it. It be just right as it is. For ‘t is for Neddie’s and Willie’s home-coming it be flying.'”