Creeping into widows' houses, and making long prayers--you know the text." "Well, now, Captain Willis, I don't want to hurt your feelings; but do you not see that one of two things I must believe,--either that the belt was torn off my waist, and washed back into the sea, as it may have been after all; or else, that--" "Do you mean that she took it ?" asked Willis, in voice of such indignant astonishment that Tom could only answer by a shrug of the shoulders.
"Who else could have done so, on your own showing ?" "Sir!" said Willis, slowly.

"I thought I had to do with a gentleman: but I have my doubts of it now.

A poor girl risks her life to drag you out of that sea, which but for her would have hove your body up to lie along with that line there,"-- and Willis pointed to the ghastly row--" and your soul gone to give in its last account--You only know what that would have been like--And the first thing you do in payment is to accuse her of robbing you--her, that the very angels in heaven, I believe, are glad to keep company with;" and the old man turned and paced the beach in fierce excitement.
"Captain Willis," said Tom, "I'll trouble you to listen patiently and civilly to me a minute." Willis stopped, drew himself up, and touched his hat mechanically.
"Just because I am a gentleman, I have not accused her; but held my tongue, and spoken to you in confidence.

Now, perhaps, you will understand why I have said nothing to the Lieutenant." Willis looked up at him.
"I beg your pardon, sir.

I see now, and I'm sorry if I was rude; but it took me aback, and does still.