It was customary, after dinner, to sit on a wooden settle, or long bench, in front of the house, facing the open esplanade on the high banks of the river, at the foot of which boats and arks were momentarily arriving.

One afternoon, while engaged in earnest conversation with Harrison, I observed a tall, gawky youth, with white hair, and a few stray patches just appearing on his chin, as precursors of a beard, approach furtively, and assume a listening attitude.

He had evidently just landed, and had put on his best clothes, to go up and see the town.

The moment he stopped to listen, I assumed a tone of earnest badinage.

Harrison, instantly seeing our intrusive and raw guest, and humoring the joke, responded in a like style.